Like most fads, dating trends fade while classics are forever; Classic courting, that is. After the initial popularity of online dating sites, Internet dating morphed into niche markets catering toward everything from vegan dating to politics, religion, and everything else under the sun. Results remained the same, however, and more and more Internet dating users found their results to be casual, short-term and the characters they met to often be superficial and deceptive.



Matchmaking agencies, on the other hand, are geared toward developing partnerships, relationships and overall long-term marriage values, making their success rates far superior to Internet sites, which have high quantity, but low longevity. Due to such long-term success and word of mouth glory stories, matchmaking companies are creeping in to help fill the void of disappointing Internet sites, taking the guesswork out of finding a true partner.

Table for Six Total Adventures is probably the largest of these, with more than 13,000 members throughout California alone and 1,100 marriages under their belt after 11 years of business.

“More and more users are finding that they waste a lot of time on internet sites as they scroll through picture after picture, wondering who is really married, who is a stalker, who is posting a picture that's 15 years old etc., and they find that they are mainly just ‘dating their computer,'” said dating and relationship expert Julie Paiva, and founder of Table for Six Total Adventures. “Dating services are quite a bit more expensive that Internet dating sites and an interested client needs to be vetted through an interviewing process before they can join a professional singles club like Table for Six. Therefore, they attract a much more sincere clientèle.”

Table for Six specializes in group singles dinner parties of six people, one-on-one matches as well as group singles activities ranging from baseball games, horseback riding and wine tasting to ski trips, spring parties and hikes.

“As people become busier and busier, they are turning to a dating service which will do all the work for them. They just show up and have fun,” Paiva said. “Participants enjoy personal matchmaking where our directors really work individually with each member to make sure they are connecting with those other members that they will have chemistry with.”

Matchmakers like Table for Six promote their forte of specialized traditional dating, offering singles a relaxed friendly environment where they can really be themselves and meet an abundance of singles with similar interests, physical characteristics and life styles they're seeking. Professionals enjoy the added bonus of joining a community of singles to expand their group of friends and network, while simultaneously finding their mate.

“Personal service makes a big difference when it comes to results,” Paiva said. And after being responsible for 1,100 marriages, it's hard to argue.