Starting a Family With the Perfect Partner: Matchmaking Tips

Starting a Family With the Perfect Partner: Matchmaking Tips

Ready to Start a Family?  How to Find Your Perfect Partner  

Starting a family with another person is one of life’s most profound, shared journeys.   While it can be filled with love and joy, it can also be daunting. Finding the right partner for long-term happiness and stability is not just about a romantic connection, it is about shared goals, values, and visions for the future.  At Searchmate, many of our members are ready to think about starting a family with the right partner. 

Understand Your Values 

It is vital to understand your own values when thinking about a long-term commitment.  What qualities are you looking for in a life partner?  What are your deal breakers and are they realistic?  Clarify for yourself what are essential qualities and what things you may be willing to compromise on for lasting love with the right person.  

Communication  

It is crucial to be open and honest when hoping to find a partner to start a family with.  Conversations about your expectations, desires and fears regarding parenthood are key – you may have surprisingly different views. 

Emotional Compatibility  

Family life with all its highs and lows can be emotionally challenging.  It is important to find a partner who is capable of providing love, support and understanding during the good times and the bad.  Avoid emotionally immature potential partners who struggle with commitment and/or communication.  

Take Your Time 

Take time to get to know a potential life partner.  The start of a promising new relationship is always exciting but have patience and make informed decisions. 

If you are ready to find someone who loves and respects you, and who is committed to building a happy and healthy family together, our friendly Membership Advisers at Searchmate will be very happy to share an informal chat to explain how we can help find your perfect partner! Our personal matchmakers are dedicated to providing you with a first-rate, tailored matchmaking experience, and competitively priced membership packages. 

Essential Qualities Men Seek in Long-Term Relationships | Matchmaking Insights

Essential Qualities Men Seek in Long-Term Relationships | Matchmaking Insights

Many stereotypes exist about the differing needs of men and women in a relationship. It might surprise you to know that both genders are seeking many of the same qualities on their journey to find long-lasting love. Let us explain: 

Communication and Empathy 

Men value honest communication in a relationship. Without an honest and open approach, emotional intimacy and depth cannot be achieved. Relationships grow when ideas and emotions can freely be exchanged. Couples should feel safe to express their feelings. At Searchmate, our matchmaking experts can provide coaching to help guide these feelings. 

Value and Respect 

Feeling valued and respected develops a sense of worth within a relationship. Like women, men like to feel that their strengths are acknowledged and appreciated. When we feel ‘seen’, positivity and support become part of the relationship dynamic. Our matchmakers will always try to match you with like minded individuals who share the same values. 

An Emotional Connection 

Men crave connection on an emotional level. An Introductions agency will help guide emotional intimacy, which can help matches to share their hopes, dreams and fears. It encourages honesty and allows issues to be confronted before they spiral. 

Shared Values & Goals 

In order to work towards a future together, it is important that there is a foundation of shared values and goals. Men look for an aligned sense of unity and purpose with a potential, long-term partner. Searchmate is a traditional dating company that looks to pair partners based on compatibility to increase the likelihood of long-lasting relationships. 

Loyalty and Trust 

Men value loyalty and trust within a relationship. A sense of security and stability contributes greatly to a healthy relationship. Personal matchmaking encourages both of these virtues to promote successful connections. 

Personal Space 

For many men, personal space is important. An independent woman who respects her partner’s need for space will keep her own sense of identity, and allow her partner to retain his. This mutual understanding is key for harnessing a healthy relationship. 

Physical Intimacy 

Physical intimacy is often a vital aspect of a romantic relationship for men. In addition to physical pleasure, it provides a way of expressing love and closeness. Traditional matchmaking agencies carefully assess matches to ensure individuals have similar preferences. 

A Sense of Humour 

Men appreciate a partner with a shared sense of humour. Laughter develops positivity and closeness between two people. Openness is fundamental for nurturing trust and comfort in a loving relationship. 

In conclusion, in order to understand what men truly want in relationships, it is important to look beyond stereotypes. Men are looking for genuine connections, intimacy and mutual support, just as women are. Lasting relationships are built on clear communication, trust, respect and shared goals and values. Reach out to our friendly advisers today to learn more about matchmaking, and how our dating coaches at Searchmate can help you to find your perfect partner.

Our Differentiators 

Our Differentiators 

Personal Matchmaking v Online Dating/Dating Apps  

We are often asked how working with a Personal Matchmaker differs from dating online or via a smartphone app. So we felt it would be worthwhile to have a closer look at that subject as many people, particularly those under 45,, have grown up with internet-based dating and may not even realise that there is a well-established and highly credible alternative to it  in Personal Matchmaking.  

Personal matchmaking has been around for centuries and could be the source of a higher quality partner than you may be able to obtain online and also give you a better chance of success, by working with your own dating expert, rather than tackling your search alone. But is often said to be ‘the best kept secret in dating’.   

First a little bit of history on dating, as the very first professional dating agency ‘The Matrimonial Bureau’ first opened its doors in London in the early part of the 18th century around 1705, incredibly even before the United Kingdom had come into existence in 1707. Dating and introductions can actually be traced back even earlier to around 1650, when Mr Robinson first began to introduce people as part of his ‘Citizens Advice Bureau’, charging according to a sliding scale of a person’s wealth. So, dating activity in the U.K. has been established for centuries.  

Dating boomed, particularly in the USA after the First World War and in 1930’s London, Heather Jenner and Mary Oliver established a further London Bureau in Bond Street, which was the forerunner of modern dating in the UK today. Way before the internet dating revolution began in the mid to late 1990’s.  

The big difference between the two is the emphasis on the word ‘personal’ in Personal Matchmaking, which is a strong clue that you are working with an expert to help you identify and introduce you to potential partners, rather than it being something, you do alone on your PC, laptop or smartphone at home. With the end result that better results and possibly higher quality matches can come from working with your own expert personal matchmaker, rather than going it alone.  

Most personal matchmaking companies are smaller and will cost more, because of you employing an expert to assist you. But as a consequence, you will find that usually your matchmaker will know the individuals that are part of the agency and most will have been met and personally interviewed, which is something that an online agency could probably never hope to emulate. You could therefore usually expect quality and results to be better, although there could never be a guarantee of that, as no one knows where chemistry may be found.  

If you are unsure about the differences, or your best options, we are happy to offer free advice and offer the chance to ask questions to one of our Membership Advisers. This can be by email, text message, WhatsApp, by telephone or in person at our office. This advice is never charged for and there is no obligation to join afterwards. Our telephones are answered in the UK between 9am and 9pm every day and are all free to use.  

The Differences

Personal MatchmakingOnline Dating/Dating Apps
Expert help available YESNO
Personal serviceYESNO
High level confidentialityYESNO
High priority matchesYESNO
All members interviewedYESNO
In house vettingYESNO
Home visits availableYESNO
Office visits & interviewsYESNO
Choice of membershipsYESNO
Covers all of the UKYESNO
Photographs on every profileYESNO
Photography service offeredYESNO
Frequent ReviewsYESNO
Guaranteed matches optionYESNO
Freeze facilityYESNO
Dating events optionYESSOME
Coaching optionsYESNO
Free membership adviceYESNO
What Is The Best Matchmaking Service?

What Is The Best Matchmaking Service?

So many choices it can be confusing

If you are looking for a new partner then there is a multitude of choices around which way you could go about it and if you’re newly into dating after a long relationship or marriage, then dating has changed so much that you may not recognise it from how it used to be in days gone by, when you were young and just starting out on your adult life.

Meeting in Bars and Clubs

When we were younger bars and clubs were a popular way of meeting others but the statistics say that over 70% of people you are in contact with on a night out are married or in a committed relationship already, so it can be very hit and miss and if you’re new to dating and are really committed to trying to meet someone for a new relationship, this may well be a strong recommendation to avoid.

The online route

Since the start of the new millennium online dating and dating apps have been a strong option and alternative to consider and so to many of us, this is now all we have ever known. However since 2012 online dating relating crime has become a real problem, fake and fraudulent profiles, scamming, sexual predators, plus worse, sexual assault, date rape and even murder has been linked to meeting strangers online and so over the years many potential daters have flocked back to a traditional, face to face dating service and personal matchmaking has gained in strength during this migration.

Traditional Dating Agency Services

As the problems with online dating, particularly fraud and scamming, have grown, people have very much sought to return to the safer haven of meeting people who have been carefully interviewed and vetted and who have shown their commitment by paying a substantial fee to meet a partner. Numbers joining have burgeoned in recent years to provide UK daters with a highly credible and much safer alternative to meeting through online dating or dating apps. The search term ‘dating agency’, personal introductions’ or ‘personal matchmaking’ will throw up a variety of potential options for you to consider, not just ourselves. Here we look at a few of them and rank them according to their current ranking on Google:

Dating Agency Options

What is the best matchmaking service available to residents in the UK, see the list below of the best dating agencies and matchmaking services.

Searchmate

Searchmate was first launched by Adrian Slatter in the 1990’s and the Searchmate brand was purchased by the Dating Options Group in 2013. So a long established and highly credible agency, with a registered address in Warwickshire but covering the whole of the UK, with one of the largest databases of all personal matchmaking agencies.
Rated as 4.3 stars out of 5 on Google.

Executive Club of St James’

Executive Club of St James’s has been in business since 1985 and was featured on BBC1in their ‘The Matchmaker’ documentary. Their address is Flat D150, Parliament View, Albert Embankment. Not listed under this name at Companies House.
Rated as 2.7 stars out of 5 on Google

Select Personal Introductions

Select are based in Manchester and have over 20 years experience in delivering a personal matchmaking service for professional singles aged over 21 looking for a real relationship. All clients are background checked and are interviewed to verify their identity. Incorporated in 1999 and with a solid background.
Select are rated 4.1 stars on Google.

Ignite Dating

Ignite are one of the newer entries into the dating marketplace, having been formed as recently as 8th November 2019 according to Companies House. They are based in Oakham in Rutland and don’t have a Google ranking as yet. We don’t believe they have a connection to Ignite Dating of Surrey who were dissolved in 2011, although they do have Surrey and London branches.
No Google Ranking.

Matchmaker London – The Vida Consultancy Ltd

Vida are located in Berkeley Street, London, having been incorporated in 2011 according to Companies House. They are an international matchmaking agency founded by chartered psychologist Rachel MacLynn. They are here to create your ultimate relationship.
Rated at 3.5 stars out of 5 on Google.

Berkeley International

Berkeley International position themselves as an international introduction agency and elite dating agency trading from a registered address at 23, West Street, Haslemere in Surrey, with an office address in Berkeley Square, Mayfair. They have traded for more than 19 years since 2003 and like ourselves are members of the Dating Agency Association.
Rated as 3.4 stars out of 5 on Google.

Gray and Farrar International

Gray and Farrar are based in Hill Street, West London and were incorporated in 2009 as a Limited Liability Partnership, previously Gray and Farrar Introductions LLP. They are quintessentially British but with a truly global reach. With a reassuringly traditional approach, with personal service and attentiveness at its very core.
Rated as 3.0 stars out of 5 on Google

Bowes Lyon Partnership

Bowes Lyon have traded for 10 years plus according to Google, since 2009 and are a discreet matchmaking agency for accomplished professionals. They are based in Bancroft Dassels, Braughing, Ware, Hertfordshire with a London office address at St James’s Square in London.
Rated as 4.2 stars out of 5 on Google

The Love Company

Have a registered address at CSH Consulting, PO Box 7784, in Kettering Northants, but are based in Kensington Church Street, in London, previous names were The Sloane Arranger and Aspray Introductions Ltd, they have featured on TV in The Ultimate Matchmaker and on TLC’s The Dating Agency. Run by Lara Aspray and her team of matchmakers.
Rated as 4.0 stars out of 5 on Google

Simitov International

A Jewish Matchmaking Company with 5 years plus in business according to Google. Serves London and nearby areas and based at 72, Great Suffolk Street in London, SE1. Said to be uniting high calibre Jewish singles looking for love. Not listed at Companies House.
Rated as 3.7 stars out of 5 on Google.

All rankings were correct at the time of writing 26th April 2022.

Want to know more?

Our Membership Advisers at Searchmate, work from 9am until 9pm almost every day and are happy to chat and answer your questions about finding love and a quality new partner, as impartially as we can be and with no compulsion or obligation to proceed.

Visit or ring us?

Alternatively we welcome visitors to our lovely office by appointment and we are centrally located wherever you are based in the UK. Come and meet our matchmakers and membership advisers and see how Searchmate work and why our success rate is so high. We are on 0800 644 4160 and the call is always at our expense. We’d love to hear from you or complete your contact details here and we will get back to you as soon as we are free.

What Does A Matchmaker Cost?

What Does A Matchmaker Cost?

How Much Does A Matchmaker Cost?

We get asked the question “What does a Matchmaker cost” on many occasions – usually at least a few times a week and it probably comes about from the fact that in the early days of internet based dating and dating apps, it was a free service and they made their profits advertising rather than by charging for the service. So people maybe got used to the idea that “dating is free”, which of course it never is, as every company that is employing staff has to make a profit one way or another, to cover its costs.

How “free dating” works

The downside of “dating is free”, is that the service in most instances wasn’t very good and therefore wasn’t successful for the majority of users, hence very poor reviews on Google and other search engines and the realisation from most consumers that dating at little or no cost didn’t work and that the end product was very poor.

Free but does it work?

Basically what “free online dating” was – was the loan of a particular company’s dating software and matching algorithm, with the consumer actually doing all of the work. There could be little or no support available if things went wrong, as they weren’t able to employ staff to provide a proper, meaningful service and one that worked and could produce a lasting result.

Why Personal Matchmaking may cost more

So to answer the question, a Matchmaker does often cost more than an online service as you are dealing with a real live human being or team of human beings and they have to be paid. But they can often also produce a result and that would result in happy clients embarking on a wonderful, long term relationship and maybe even moving in together or ultimately marriage. So the choice is yours – a free service or something a little more meaningful that might lead somewhere.

Your Matchmaker’s involvement and what to expect

If we look at the job a Matchmaker may do, that would give you the best clue as to costs, as in most agencies you would be like to get the following:

  • Dating advice prior to joining according to your circumstances and location.
  • A personal interview.
  • A professionally written profile.
  • Photography advice or even sometimes a photoshoot (photographs can be so important).
  • Background checks on every member, to check out they are who they say they are.
  • Checks on their residency, involvement in crime and solvency.
  • A welcome call from your Matchmaker and possibly a Dating Coach.
  • A guaranteed level of dates or profiles.
  • Ongoing help and advice from your Matchmaker.
  • Regular reviews and profile updates.
  • And eventually a wonderful new partner entering your life.

A service that does work

So quite a lot of professionalism and expertise and a service that works and regularly produces results and one that we’d like to think is vastly superior to meeting someone through online dating or by swiping left or right on a dating app. It might also pleasantly surprise you to learn that whilst some Personal Matchmaking companies can be expensive, many aren’t and wouldn’t be charging that much more than an online service.

Typical Matchmaker costs

These days the minimum membership cost would probably be from around about £1,000, right up to £100,000 for the best of the best in Mayfair in London, but typically entry level services would be from around £1,000 to say £5,000, with London companies tending to charge more, with teens of thousands being quite commonplace.

You can view the Searchmate pricing options here which are competitive compared to most other matchmaking services you will find.

How Searchmate Compares and Getting in Touch

Here at Searchmate, we try to offer a good value service, we wouldn’t want to be the cheapest, so we start at £1,295 and at the top level £3,295 for our Platinum product, with Club also available at £1,895. If you’d like to know more our Membership Advisers never charge for their advice and would be happy to talk you through the industry and answer any questions you may have. They can be reached from 9am until 9pm most days on 0800 644 4160 and the call is always at our expense. Alternatively fill in the contact form below and we will ring you back within 24 working hours to take you through your options as impartially as we can. There is never any obligation either, so please do make that call.

Do Dating Agencies Work?

Do Dating Agencies Work?

Many people ask this question, probably because of the onslaught of online dating and dating apps, they don’t realise that there is actually an alternative. But the truth is that Dating Agencies have been around for centuries not just a couple of decades like their online competitors. With the first, known as a matrimonial bureau in those days, opening it’s doors in London as early as 1705, so is even older than the United Kingdom itself.

So there is an alternative

So yes, for those searching for an alternative to meeting online, happily there is an alternative and one that has been around a long time with many thousands of successes over the years. At Searchmate we have been around since the 1990’s, way before many of the major players in online dating and during that time we have been delivering a high quality, face to face personal matchmaking service to our members and helping them to find love away from the internet.

Our major differentiators

With online dating and dating apps, mainly you are using their software, but actually do the work yourself – more of a ‘DIY dating’ service. With Searchmate and other face to face agencies, you are likely to get that work done for you. So you are interviewed, we then build a professional profile for you, take and help you choose which photographs are going to be best for you to attract others of the right calibre. We also take you through our checking/vetting procedures to ensure that you have the right background to join an exclusive agency, which is largely residency, solvency and a check for any involvement in crime.

Lots of support and successes

When you are fully onboarded and have become a member in your own right, the next step is your welcome call from your matchmaker and the exciting part of our membership is just about to begin – dating others. Your matchmaker will give you an overview of how we work and how we have brought success to many thousands over the years since 1998. It is a tried and tested formula and gives us a very high success rate of over 90%. Now that isn’t people getting engaged or married (although of course many still do) but people who have happily gone into ‘exchange’ with others and are dating them and forming a relationship – which is always our goal.

Our guarantees

No one can absolutely guarantee chemistry and of course we can never force our members to say yes to each other, but we do have a large database of quality people and it’s always our belief that there is someone out there for everybody. So we do always guarantee the number of recommendations that we provide and our aim is always to out perform that guarantee on as many occasions as we can. Although client flexibility and open mindedness is a key consideration and factor in achieving this. Clients who show flexibility around their matches are the ones that usually enjoy the best memberships and go on to find love.

Options to suit all Budgets

At Searchmate we have a range of membership options, starting with Associate, going up to Club and then on to Platinum. Associate is great value as you are getting access to work with your own mentor and guide throughout your membership – your personal matchmaker and access to our excellent database of carefully vetted people. Our Club product provides greater levels of recommendations, a hold facility and a higher priority for matches, so less waiting for new members to filter down to you, but still great value for money.

Our high end Platinum Product

At the top end our Platinum product, would provide access immediately to new members coming onboard without you having to wait for them, a higher level of confidentiality – your profile doesn’t go out until you have said yes to the match, a face to face interview in your own home if preferred, individual one to one matches to enable you to properly evaluate each of them. Plus an ‘on hold’ facility to freeze your membership whilst dating. Which is obviously a far cry from ‘DIY Dating’ on the internet.

A typical agency

We have highlighted our own practices within Searchmate, to describe how a dating agency works but we would be very typical to others, although we believe that the Searchmate database is larger than most – to give you the very best chance of finding love. We believe it to be the largest in the UK of personally interviewed and vetted potential dates, also we do cover the whole of mainland Great Britain and even remote areas are not precluded, which is more unusual. So wherever you are in the country – a high quality dating agency service is available to you.

Like to know more?

If you’d like to know more, then there is never any obligation or compulsion to join, but our Membership Advisers, Jane, Amanda and Jack are always free to talk to and answer your dating questions, impartially and in an even handed, friendly way. We have typically 200-300 enquiries each month, so there is never any hard sell, we simply don’t need to do that. So feel free to ring us in confidence and have a chat, we’d love to hear from you and would simply aim to put you in an informed position, so you can decide if our service might be of interest. Our telephone number is 0800 644 4160 – so please ring us today to kick things off.