A millennial woman has ditched dating apps – in favour of hiring a professional matchmaker to find her perfect match.
Taylor Bannks was fed up with failed matches on the apps over the last few years, when a colleague recommended putting her romantic fate into the hands of a professional.
Spotting an ad on Instagram for a matchmaking service, the 33-year-old decided to take the plunge.
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Now, Taylor’s potential dates are screened through her matchmaker, undergoing an interview process before they can meet her – ensuring her time isn’t wasted with people who don’t align with her wants.
And it comes with a cost, with the young woman spending “a few thousand dollars” on the service.
“I used to use dating apps and have entered relationships from them in the past,” Taylor, an operations managed based in New York city, told What’s The Jam.
“Post-Covid, dating apps proved to not be a good use of my time anymore so I deleted them even before hiring a matchmaker.”
The process started with Taylor having to answer 30 questions about herself and her preferences.
She said: “They asked me what does my ideal partner look like, what are their characteristics, what is my minimum height requirement, what are salary requirements, what about school and degrees, what about religion?
“The questionnaire was thorough and I did appreciate that.
“They also asked about me and my upbringing so they could get a sense of who I am.”
From there, Taylor had to play a “waiting game” while the matchmaker got to work.
She said: “I appreciate someone vetting these gentlemen for me, based on criteria that I’ve provided.
“They are handpicking individuals who they feel will be a good match for me, so I don’t have any work to do – all I am doing is receiving at this point.
“It wins over dating apps.
“It’s a very bespoke and tailored process.
“Even in the early stages, it’s much better than anything I’ve done before virtually in terms of dating – light years ahead.”
Taylor’s first date via the matchmaker involved zero prior correspondence with the chosen man – she was simply shown a profile to approve.
She shared a video on TikTok updating followers on her progress, explaining that the date went well and she filled out a feedback form following it.
Both she and her date gave good feedback and agreed to see each other again – which can be done directly, rather than through the matchmaker.
For now, Taylor remains single but is still working with the professional, until she decides to exclusively date a match.
She is currently actively dating someone via her matchmaker.
Taylor said: “My matchmaking experience has been going very well.
“She did a great job on my first match and identified the qualities I am looking for in a partner.
“The experience has been exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.
“The entire matchmaking process is new to me, so I am learning as I go and overall, I’m enjoying it!
“It is fun to meet successful men who have already been ‘interviewed’ to be a good match for me and vice versa.
“I also date by meeting guys in the wild if they are respectful and ambitious.
“I feel very confident with who I am at this point in my life.
“Dating in my 30s has been much more elevated than dating in my 20s.
“It’s enjoyable because I know who I am and what qualities to look for in a guy, and I am choosing better people to spend time with.”
