hough the average age of marriage in the United States increases by the year – with men 30.5 and women at 28.1, according to the 2020 U.S. Census – one fact remains true: a majority of people want to get married at some point. It goes without saying that dating apps are the matchmakers of modern times, helping connect people based on their location, preferences, and personal interests. But this approach is equal-parts better and harder, depending on which dating site you choose to invest your time and energy in.
So, you’re done messing around and want to find that fairytale kind of love? Then, you’ve got some work ahead of you. Figuring out which serious-dating website or app is best for you is a lot like, well, dating . With so many fishes in the digital universe, how do you catch the one that will result in a dream come true? The key to figuring out which platform will keep you engaged, result in matches and hopefully help you find your way off dating apps, is to be strategic. Each platform utilizes various features – from algorithms to interfaces – that are great for some folks, and not so good for others. Here, how to figure out which of the top dating sites for marriage is right for you:
Consider if religion is important in your future marriage.
Though eHarmony doesn’t shout it from the rooftops, it’s well known within the industry as the spot for those who value religion. It’s a step down from say, Christian Mingle , but their philosophy and matching is based on values. They also don’t allow homosexual members to join eHarmony , as the site is intended only for the heterosexual community (as an aside, they do have a destination for the LGBTQ, just not on eHarmony). Though non-Jewish folks can join JDate , the idea is that you would be open to converting if it was important to your partner. When you imagine your future family and you picture attending church and other rituals, you should start your spouse search on one of these sites that put religion at the forefront.
Consider how simple – or complex – you want the site to be.
It seems like there are new dating sites and apps popping up weekly, and some are way more complicated than others. Although there are tons of millennial- focused options out there (think: Bumble and Hinge), sometimes classic is best, especially if you’re looking for something serious. There’s a reason why Match has been around for so long – since 1995, to be exact . With a vast user base and a pricing model that forces singles to get serious, Match has resulted in more marriages than any other platform. If you are truly, really, incredibly ready to get hitched, your effort is best spent on this dating site. But a word to the wise: Match doesn’t make it easy and that’s the point. Messages are often long, profiles are meant to be super-robust, and many users say it’s a full-time job to keep up. When you put in the time and you are strategic about your searching, chances are high you will find compatibility.
Consider how involved you want to be in the dating process.
No dating site – especially those for the marriage-minded – are completely hands-off. Every site and app requires work upfront, like filling out a profile, answering multiple choice questions to gauge your personality, and engaging in conversations with potential matches. But once you’re settled in, you may want something a little less involved. Hinge can still give you the serious results you’re looking for in a laid-back way. Here, you don’t pay for the service but you do senior match discount code have to be more thoughtful with your opening one-liner. Hinge forces you to comment on a photo or a profile question response, and it dings you if you aren’t replying. This is a great way to ease into the serious-dating territory, especially if your job is uber-demanding or you often forget to engage online.