Would You Go On A Group Blind Date?

Would you go on a blind group date? NYC start-up Grouper is offering its users the opportunity to do just that by arranging for two groups of friends (typically a group of girls and group a guys) to meet up at a local bar or restaurant. I offered up my opinion on Grouper on a recent CNBC.com article.

Here's an excerpt:

Samantha Daniels, president of Samantha's Table Matchmaking, said that millennials' noncommittal nature has shaped the way they approach their offline social life, and Grouper is tapping into that shift.

Grouper said users also have made romantic connections through the more informal group gatherings.

"Most of the time, people want to meet people through friends—there's a comfort level," Daniels said. "The success rate may not be as high as a more traditional way of meeting someone. But like my grandmother says, 'If you're invited somewhere, you should always go.' You never know what's going to happen."

Read the full article here. 

Splitting The Cost Of The Engagement Ring: Would You Do It?

Would you split the cost of an engagement ring? I chimed in about going dutch on the ring in this piece by Lilit Marcus on Today.com. Here's an excerpt:

Samantha Daniels, professional matchmaker and founder of Samantha's Table Matchmaking, has noticed more couples paying jointly for a ring.

“Today, because both the man and woman earn money and contribute to the financials and the decision-making, it’s not surprising that both of them are involved in all aspects [of choosing and paying for the ring],” she told TODAY.com. “I think it makes for a better connection between the two people.”

Read the full article here. 

6 Unintentional Things Your Body Language Says in a Relationship

I recently contributed to a really fun piece at Galtime.com by Lauren Bolf, "6 Unintentional Things Your Body Language Says in a Relationship".

Send the right message with
your body language

Here's an excerpt:

Celebrity Matchmaker Samantha Daniels reveals eye contact is very important because it shows that you are interested in what he is saying and that you are paying attention.

“This is universally applicable, whether you’re having a deep conversation with your boyfriend or are trying to connect with someone new on a first date.” 

To read the full article and the rest of my tips on body language, click here.

‘Miss Match’ Found Love For Everyone But Herself – Until Now

I was thrilled to write this piece for the New York Post on my recent marriage . Read the full article here.

Samantha Daniels is the founder of matchmaking service Samantha’s Table, author of “Matchbook: The Diary of a Modern Day Matchmaker” and the inspiration behind NBC’s 2003 show “Miss Match,” in which her life story was portrayed by Alicia Silverstone. But the 42-year-old successful NYC-based matchmaker was perpetually single – until finally getting hitched last spring. Below, she shares the story of how she finally found true love.

Samantha Daniels and her husband Steve Farber

Deep down, I always wondered why marriage eluded me. I give great romantic advice. I’ve helped more than 300 people get married. Yet for more than 13 years, I was known as “The Single Matchmaker,” unable to reach the promised land myself.

I was proud of my accomplishments, but I was in the same boat as all of my successful clients: I had everything I wanted in my life, except for one person with whom to share it all. That is, until last March, when I finally married my true love.

How did I ultimately land my own big fish? I went through the same dating trials and tribulations as any other single New Yorker. I hit rock bottom with the last guy I dated before I met my husband. That boyfriend told me I was beautiful and that he could see himself marrying me. But a partner at his hedge fund told him no divorced man of his “success and stature” should commit to another marriage before dating a professional model. So he promptly broke up with me and found one. I got so fed up I took myself off the dating market, lest I start hating men forever.

More Great Coverage Of My Hamptons Event For Jack Hidary

Samantha Daniels, Edie Falco, Steve Farber

Guest of a Guest included my event in the Hamptons for NYC Mayoral Candidate Jack Hidary in their weekend roundup.

Here's the article, along with some pictures of the event:

Where: Private Home of Celebrity Matchmaker Samantha Daniels and Money Manager Steve Farber, Wainscott, NY

Who Was There: Guests included Samantha Daniels, Steve Farber, Candidate, Jack Hidary, Murray Hidary, Alyson Cambridge, Edie Falco, Aida Turturro, Bill Brady, Bonnie Schneider, John D. Singer, Maya Singer, Jim Prusky, Michael and Nina Whitman. Barbara Kavovit, Janie Bruyere, Caren Turner, Keith Rosenbloom and Laura Rand, Amy Treitel, David Allouch, Jeff Grant, David and Naomi Schoenkin, Jonathan Ende, Jason Ridloff, Zachary and Nicole Tunick, Dr Howard Levy, Margot Phillips, Rolise Rachel, Amy Dewhurst, Stuart Sugarman, Erin Frankel, Amanda Terry, Jami Beere and Terri Kahan.

Details: Celebrity Matchmaker Samantha Daniels and Money Manager Steve Farber opened up their Wainscott home for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at sunset in a mid-century modern setting. Guests were invited to come meet NYC Mayoral candidate, Jack Hidary. They sipped summery NYC themed cocktails and enjoyed nibbles from Je ne sais quoi caterers and Steve'sice cream from Brooklyn. Hidary gave an inspiring speech about his candidacy and how he hopes to shape NYC when he is elected.

Read the entire article here, and find more pictures of the event here. 

Samantha's Event Pick: Hamptons Event for NYC Mayoral Candidate, Jack Hidary

Last Saturday, I hosted a fantastic event in the Hamptons for NYC Mayoral Candidate, Jack Hidary.

Here is some fun coverage of the event from The Algemeiner:

Samantha Daniels, Jack Hidary, Steve Farber

New York City based professional matchmaker Samantha Daniels and her husband Steven Farber are hosting a fundraiser at their Hamptons home for Jewish tech mogul and New City Mayoral candidate Jack Hidary.

The Saturday evening cocktail party in Wainscott, New York, is being billed as a chance to meet Hidary up close, and the dress code is “Hamptons chic.”

Daniels is the creator of “Samantha’s Table,” billed as an “exclusive, discreet and high-end matchmaking service for the ultra-successful, ultra-busy, ultra-cultured and the ultra-educated.”

At the time of publication the upscale Matchmaker hadn’t responded to a query from The Algemeiner, asking if she had a potential candidate to introduce to the eligible Jewish bachelor, but, in a final note on the invite, Daniels told her guests, “We hope to see all of our married, coupled off and single friends, as ‘Samantha The Matchmaker’ will be off-duty!”

Read the full article here.

Samantha's Event Pick: Super Saturday

Last weekend, I attended one of my favorite annual events in the Hamptons, Super Saturday. It's a shopping event sponsored by several notable designers, and there are always amazing buys to be found. Not to mention, it's all for a very worthy cause, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. This year, they raised over 3.5 million dollars. Pretty incredible.

Glam.com wrote a great piece on the event, and I had a fun time contributing my memories. Here's an excerpt: 

"Samantha Daniels, celebrity matchmaker and president of Samantha’s Table, has been attending Super Saturday since 2000. She began coming as a volunteer, once working the Valentino booth, and afterward was allowed to buy a pale pink handbag for $50 that she still owns to this day. This is just one of many fond Super Saturday memories for her: “I discovered Christina Perrin for the first time. I wound up buying 2 floor length beaded skirts for $75 each when they retailed for over $2000. And I found myself chatting with the designer that day. She invited me to her showroom thereafter and I wound up doing a photo shoot for the New York Times! It doesn’t stop there; the same year that Daniels’ best friend won two sets of golf clubs and a weekend getaway at a golf resort, she won a trip for two to London, including airfare, a two night hotel say and a digital camera!"

Read the rest of the article here.