New York may be the city that never sleeps, but it can be surprisingly difficult to meet the kind of high-quality people you’d think about dating, let alone find your soulmate.
And when you don’t have much time left over in your day for the care and feeding of your Tinder and Match profiles… no wonder you’re considering hiring a NYC matchmaker! Now you just have to decide which one…
Start your search with at-a-glance information on 8 of the best matchmakers in NYC!
Janis & Carly Spindel, Serious Matchmaking
This mother/daughter matchmaking team owns one of the most high-end dating services in NYC.
Clientele
Successful men seeking a long-term relationship.
Cost
$25,000 to $350,000+ to work with Carly. $50,000 to $1,000,000 to work with Janis, making her one of NYC’s true millionaire matchmakers. Want both of them in on the search? That level of service runs you $65,000 to $300,000.
If you don’t want to sign a 1-year contract, you can opt for the $6,000 “Flash Match” package. This includes an introduction by Carly to 6 hand-selected women during a single evening at an upscale NYC venue.
The matchmaking process for most women differs. Women pay a one-time screening fee, typically between $250-$500. That buys a chance to join the database of eligible singles but inclusion requires passing the interview process.
What To Expect
Potential clients meet with Janis or Carly, where they get to know you over the course of a lunch or dinner. Once you’ve selected a membership package, you’ll pay the matchmaking fee upfront and the search will begin. You can expect 12 introductions in 12 months.
Founded In
1993
Further Reading
Maria Avgitidis, Agape Match
One of Manhattan’s most well-known boutique matchmakers, she works with men as paying clients.
Clientele
Men in their mid 20s to mid 60s.
Cost
Matchmaking programs begin at $25,000 for 6 months and include a minimum of 6 matches.
Agape Match also offers date coaching sessions, starting around $10,000.
What To Expect
You’ll meet with Maria face to face for the initial consultation, then she’ll match you with women in their database. (Women can join her database for free, and wait to be matched with paying clients.)
When she finds someone she thinks you’ll like, you’ll receive some biographical information prior to the date they’ll arrange for you. After you provide first date feedback, they’ll arrange the second date for you.
Founded In
2009
Further Reading
Leslie Wardman, Ambiance Matchmaking
Wardman’s elite matchmaking service is headquartered on the opposite coast, but has expanded from San Francisco to locations around the US – including an office in New York City.
Clientele
Men and women, typically in their early 30s to early 60s.
Cost
Matchmaking service starts at $19,500. Package cost is determined in part by whether you’d like your search to be local, national, or international.
What To Expect
Ambiance Matchmaking is a boutique-style dating agency, meaning Wardman and her staff take on a limited roster of paying clients; typically 20 clients at one time.
After a successful interview, you’ll sign a contract for 12 months of matchmaking service, plus up to a year’s worth of “pause” time. Clients are typically introduced to 1 or 2 matches every month.
Potential matches are identified from among the 10,000+ singles in the Ambiance database. Each one is then further screened and interviewed to make sure they fit the client's “must have” criteria, and vice versa. First dates are then arranged with compatible matches.
Founded In
2002
Amy Van Doran, Modern Love Club
The self-proclaimed “coolest matchmaker in NYC”, boutique matchmaker Amy Doran only works with a handful of clients at any one time.
Clientele
Men and women in their late 20s to mid 50s.
Cost
$20,000+ for 6 months, with the number of matches depending on factors like how detailed your list of ‘ideal partner’ criteria is.
What To Expect
Potential clients start by submitting an online contact form. If she thinks she can help you, she’ll reach out. If she does, you’ll be matched with other clients in Amy’s rolodex of approximately 6,000 NYC singles.
She has a team of recruiters who actively search for and invite people to join the database after paying a one-time fee.
Founded In
2008
Further Reading
Talia Goldstein, Three Day Rule
It’s headquartered in Los Angeles, but Three Day Rule is a popular matchmaking company in NYC too.
Clientele
Men and women in their mid 20s to mid 60s.
Cost
$6,100 for 3 months, during which you’ll receive at least 3 matches. $9,300 for 6 months, which includes at least 6 matches.
There's also a VIP membership option, which starts at $16,500 and includes 6 months of matchmaking services. Both of the 6-month membership options also include a professional photo shoot.
People can join the database for free, and wait to be matched with paying clients.
What To Expect
Matchmaking clients are introduced to other members in the database of local singles. TDR is also partnered with OkCupid, Match.com, JDate and ChristianMingle, so they’ll search for suitable matches on those online dating sites and apps as well. Matchmakers also recruit people to join the database from places like Whole Foods and various local events.
When potential dates are located you'll check out their profiles – including pictures. If you’re interested, you’ll be given your match’s contact information, so it’s up to you to initiate contact.
Founded In
2013
Further Reading
Amy Laurent
This executive matchmaker is bi-coastal, with offices in both NYC and LA. She only takes on up to 30 paying clients at one time.
A celebrity matchmaker of sorts, she starred in Bravo Network's reality show “Miss Advised,” which chronicled the daily lives of 3 single relationship experts.
Clientele
Men seeking serious relationships.
Cost
$18,000 for 1 year, with no guaranteed number of matches.
What To Expect
Prospective clients must first have an hour-long interview with Amy, where you’ll discuss things like what type of person you’re hoping to meet, as well as your personal relationship and dating history. If she takes you on as a client, she’ll pull suitable matches from her database.
After checking out the photos and descriptions, Amy will arrange dates with any of the matches you’re interested in. You’ll be meeting people who have responded to her advertising campaigns, or whom she’s met at events around NYC and recruited.
Founded In
2005
Further Reading
Michelle Frankel, NYCity Matchmaking
Started by a lawyer turned “love headhunter/Chief Love Officer,” Michelle specializes in matching NYC singles but also works with a national and international network of matchmakers.
Clientele
Men and women in their 20s to 60s wanting a range of relationships from dating to marriage.
Cost
$7,500+ for 6 months of matchmaking services. $5,000 for 6 months of date coaching. $500 for 6 months of online dating help.
The mandatory preliminary interview costs an additional $300 in person, or $150 remotely.
What To Expect
This boutique matchmaker generally only takes on 10-12 clients at any one time.
After meeting with her for the initial interview, you’ll be presented with compatible matches from the free member database. The NYCity Matchmaking team also recruits singles from places like events, art openings, sports games, etc, or from Michelle’s network of affiliated matchmakers.
Founded In
2012
Scott Valdez, VIDA Select
One of the most affordable matchmakers in NYC, VIDA Select’s modern approach to finding love may just be the easiest way to meet your perfect match.
Clientele
Men and women typically in their 30s to 50s.
Cost
VIDA Select offers 3 levels of matchmaking service – Basic, Premium and Elite. Package prices are highly aligned with how many hours should be used each month to find high-quality, compatible singles. All packages are paid by the month and include unlimited matches.
Basic packages start at only $995/month. Premium options begin at $1595/month, and Elite packages start at $2395/month. On average, clients meet someone special in only 3 months.
What To Expect
VIDA provides a dating service tailored to fit your busy schedule.
With access to the single largest database of high-quality NYC singles, you’ll get unlimited dates with incredible matches you pre-approve. And with VIDA’s pay-as-you-go model, you’re only paying for the time you need – no contract required.
Want to finally find your soulmate? To learn more about how VIDA works their matchmaking magic, click here!
Founded In
2009
