A millionaire wedding: A different matchmaking ball game

So you’re young, successful, seriously rich and still single! Well, worry not! A millionaire matchmaker is at your service! From owners of massive corporations and celebrities to prominent politicians and business moguls, millionaires from all walks of life subscribe to millionaire matchmaking services, to find a partner.

So what does it take to be a millionaire matchmaker? “For starters, we need to think and feel like a millionaire. How else will we ever understand our client?” laughs Linda Gordon, who is an exclusive matchmaker for the big shots of Wall Street, in New York city. In India, Saurabh Goswami set up Ultra Rich Weddings Pvt. Ltd. in 2011 after noticing a substantial gap in the Indian market. “I was motivated by the fact that our target audience is increasing at a fast pace, given the growth of high-net-worth individuals,” he says.

Verified millionaires

Given the number of gold diggers and frauds, it is critical to thoroughly verify that potential candidates are indeed millionaires. This helps build the credibility of the matchmaking agency. Explains diamond merchant Rupesh Shah, who found his life partner through an elite matrimonial service company, “The screening process was stringent. I was asked to submit details of my income tax returns and property shares to verify my millionaire status. A representative from the matchmaking agency came home to verify my lifestyle as part of the screening process.” Adds Linda, “Most millionaires seek partners who have families with a long history of wealth. Nouveau riche individuals and families are less preferred. Hence, we ask for tax documents going far into the past!”

Images courtesy: Ultra Rich Weddings Pvt. Ltd.

A different ball game

Matchmaking for millionaires is a different ball game. “The needs of millionaires are confidential. We understand successful people are always busy so it becomes necessary to match them with members who meet their needs. To ensure the members are satisfied, we offer 24/7 customer service support,” says Sammy Wan, marketing manager of MillionaireMatch, the original and largest millionaire dating site in the world.

Lily Bloomington, founder of the London-based Velvet Vows, says, “The millionaire club is a very tight circle globally. Everyone knows each other! We have to be very careful to take into account existing dynamics between parties. For example, we cannot show a high-profile client the profile of his millionaire ex-girlfriend. And if two business families are feuding, we cannot introduce their children to each other with a matrimonial view!”

In India, an analysis of the millionaire matchmaking business throws up some interesting facts. “We receive most requests from Tier I and Tier II cities. Females greatly outnumber males (we have five females for every two males) and more often than not, the girls are better qualified than the guys!