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In 2021, dating apps are the most common way for couples to date. But in the face of so many dating options, it is difficult to determine the most suitable dating app for marriage. Since not everyone considers weddings or marriage when downloading dating apps, more and more people are turning to digital services to find long-term relationships and even marriage. After all, if you want your next relationship to end with a big wedding, that would be great, wouldn’t it? There is absolutely nothing wrong with knowing what you want from another person. May it be marriage or a Long-Distance Relationship. However, if the only reason you decide to date is to get married, you will soon be disappointed. If you’re dating with the intention of marrying, you’re either going to succeed or fail Which implies you’ll be unhappy every time a relationship fails to work out. It means that when someone leaves your life, even if they were only supposed to be around for a short time, you’ll feel like you’ve squandered your time. And of course it’s natural to be disappointed when someone with whom you had planned to spend the rest of your life goes. However, you should not consider the experience a failure if you wind up splitting up with the wrong person for you. Because you didn’t choose to settle, you should consider it a success. You didn’t make the relationship work by forcing it. That’s where a matchmaking agency comes in It’s great if you only date people with whom you have the potential to marry, people who are serious about getting married soon, and people who won’t mess with your heart. But be careful not to place too much importance on marriage. Make sure that finding someone who fits you perfectly is more important to you than finding someone who is willing to eventually marry you. If you do find someone you love, and the marriage is predestined, the Netherlands is a great country to get married in. Getting married in The Netherlands – what to take into consideration? You can get married or enter into a registered partnership in the Netherlands, even if you are an expatriate living abroad. You are free to decide in which municipality you want to get married. To get married in the Netherlands, you must first register with the municipality of The Hague. You then inform them that you “intend to marry or enter into a registered partnership with each other”. This notification is valid for one year. The marriage or registered partnership must therefore be consummated within one year. There are a number of requirements for getting married in the NetherlandsAt least one of you has Dutch nationality. You are 18 years old or older. You are not married to another person. You do not have a registered partnership with another person. You are not too closely related to your partner. This means that your partner may not be, for example, your father, (grand)daughter, grandfather or (half)sister.  You are not under guardianship. If you are under guardianship, you need the permission of the guardian or the local court. The municipality will check whether you can marry each other or enter into a registered partnership. Marriage abroad – returning to the Netherlands Did you get married abroad and do you intend to return to the Netherlands one day? Then it is advisable to have your foreign marriage certificate converted into a Dutch marriage certificate at the registry office of the City of The Hague. However, the foreign marriage certificate must first be notarised or apostilled. If the foreign marriage certificate is not in English, French, German or Dutch, a sworn translation is also required. Once again: make sure that finding someone who fits you perfectly is more important to you than finding someone who is willing to eventually marry you. Need advice? Let Infinity Relations help you out. We are an Exclusive Matchmaking Agency for global leaders, expats and successful entrepreneurs in the Netherlands who are serious about finding lasting love

Opposites attract! Time to delve a little deeper into this subject. Do we find someone more attractive who does not look like us? Or do we fall for someone we recognize ourselves in? In short, what attracts us to the other person? It will probably have happened to you. A good friend is at your door, sad and tired. Her long-standing relationship has just run out of steam: there were only arguments or the love has simply disappeared. “You were just too much alike,” you try to say soothingly. Your friend nods in agreement and wipes away her tears. “Yeah, you’re right,” she replies. “It was going to go wrong sooner or later anyway.” Opposites attract, after all, the saying goes. And so we reject that potential partner because we identify too much with that person or use this as an explanation for why a relationship is doomed to fail. But what about that other common saying: “like attracts like”? This seems to contradict the above and creates additional ambiguity in the already complicated dating world. So it’s time to delve a little deeper into this subject. Do we find someone more attractive who does not look like us? Or do we fall for someone in whom we recognize ourselves? In short, what attracts us to the other person? “A beautiful woman”, you can hear many men say. And preferably someone who can cook a little well and is caring is added to the wish list. The average woman likes an intelligent man, who is high on the social status ladder and has a flourishing career ahead of him. From both sides, this sounds a tad superficial, but looking at evolutionary theory, it becomes a bit more plausible. Men are more likely to pass on their genes to a woman who looks attractive to them (with an attractive, healthy body being considered more suitable for bearing children), women are more likely to have their children survive when they have a strong, intelligent man by their side who offers protection and knows how to provide the necessary amenities. So we have nothing to be ashamed of if we have the above – at first glance superficial – traits high on the list of requirements for the ideal partner. But what about the opposites attract part? Generally speaking, like-minded people attract each other. This seems to be a result of classical conditioning: if you meet someone with the same characteristics and values, he or she will evoke a familiar and positive feeling in you. This also applies to the opposite: if you meet a totally different person, you will be less inclined to like them. It is also true that like-minded people have the same ‘love style’, which creates a stable relationship. Of course, in terms of character you do not have to resemble your partner as two peas in a pod in order for the relationship to succeed. In fact, you align your strong and weak traits, compensating for each other and learning from each other, is a solid bonding tool in the relationship. Yet the opposites attract saying does not come out of the blue. Maybe you recognize yourself in it, you always fall for persons who are different from you in every way. Probably because it is unknown and new, and therefore of course very exciting. You don’t know what to expect, so it won’t get boring easily. But you will also notice that it will usually be limited to fiery contacts that will pass after a short time. Or worse: it does become a relationship, but there is continuous fighting between them. That’s not what you want, right? Conclusion from the above? Be open to someone who looks like you. Maybe a touch less exciting, but it will greatly increase your chances of a stable relationship.

Have you just moved to the Netherlands and looking for a perfect partner you can share your life with? Are you an elite, international orientated Dutch single struggling to find a soul mate? You are not alone. Finding long-lasting love is hard, and it is even more challenging for expats who are busy, have high taste, and don’t have the time to headhunt.  The good news is that there are still some ways to meet elite singles like you who are looking for serious commitments. In this post, we’ll share some experts tips on how expats can find long-lasting love in the Netherlands. Hire a professional matchmaker The best way for expats to find love in the Netherlands is by engaging the service of elite matchmaking agencies. They can save you the time and stress of searching for love by bringing you the ideal partner. These agencies have in-depth knowledge and experience headhunting for elite singles and bringing their clients matches that are compatible with their personality and values.  Online dating apps Online dating apps and websites are becoming more popular in the Netherlands, and lots of singles are using these platforms to find serious relationships. As an expat, we recommend that you opt only for online dating apps that verify their users’ information and offer you a lot of privacy. Though these platforms can be helpful, you should note that they can also be time wasting as you may have to surf multiple profiles and set up several dates before finding your perfect match.  Find expat groups and clubs near you If you have some time on your sleeve, you can check out expats groups and clubs in your local area. This will help you widen your social circle and increase your chances of meeting like-minded singles. Whatever your interests are, we are sure you would find a suitable expat club or group in the Netherlands.  Have any questions or need help finding love? Meet Infinity Relations! One of our professional matchmakers will meet you and help you find your dream partner!

In addition to being tired from, for example, your job, watching TV for too long or running around the park, you can also become extinguished from dating these days. This general love fatigue can be described as date burnout and is caused by too many dates with too many different people in a row. Although the symptoms are not as bad as normal burnout, date burnout is not something you should take lightly. Time to take a closer look at this phenomenon. What characteristics does a burnt-out serial dater actually exhibit? And how do you turn that dying fire into a lasting burning love that sparks off? What’s Happnin’ It’s no news that with the arrival of apps like Tinder, Happn, Grindr or Inner Circle the belief in several great loves (per day) has increased. Where in the past you could languish for weeks or even months just to catch a glimpse of the one object of your affection, you now simply swipe to the right or press the heart button on all the attractive profiles you see online. The same evening you can sit at the bar with a random chosen one, deep in conversation about your work, the best Netflix series or the next round of drinks. Sounds like a never ending love story and it is, but not with a happy ending. Anyone who repeats this rant often enough runs the risk of becoming burned out, discouraged and desperate, which ultimately means dating is out of the question altogether. Something that psychologist Shannon Kolakowski experienced personally in her immediate environment. The large number of singles she spoke to shifted from one date to the next in high gear, hoping of course that their true love was among them, while in the meantime they didn’t really feel anything for anyone in particular. All of them then doubted whether this was due to the people they were dating or their own ability to have feelings of love for someone. All also struggled with their self-esteem and often felt hopeless or depressed throughout the process. Yet they continued to date stubbornly, because it still felt better than the feelings of restlessness and impatience sometimes so characteristic of a date-less existence. But over time, the fleetingness of the many dates brought them more and more difficulties, confusion, discouragement, and an ever-increasing alienation from themselves. As a result, they ended up not wanting to go on dates at all. They were firmly convinced that it was not worth all the disappointment and that love was not for them. After all, they had already tried everything. Dating had become for them a terrible, obligatory number, instead of an exciting, new opportunity to meet someone interesting. Fear and uncertainty  Kolakowski explains to us in her book “Single, Shy and Looking for Love” why this is. Nowadays, dating apps make it very easy for people to escape that inevitable part of dating: feelings of insecurity. Do I like him? What did she think of me after our last date? At times like these, it seems easier to look for new matches online than to deal with all the unanswered questions you have about your current date. Still, when you are looking for a long relationship, it is important to give the other person a chance to really get to know you and vice versa. Of course, it doesn’t help if you flit from one to the other in the meantime, too impatient to really stick around. Online swiping can also lead to you becoming less emotionally available. The virtual, artificial and hectic aspect of it all means that you attribute less human qualities to others and no longer consider them worthy of your time, attention, kindness or respect. So dates are canceled last minute, don’t show up or disappear, after a first date that may or may not have been disappointing. It is this series of disappointments and rejections that causes people to experience what is known as date burnout. This effect is even stronger in types who are above average in fear or shyness. On this, Kolakowski explains how fear naturally acts as a protection mechanism against danger or pain. Those who experience higher levels of anxiety or are very shy also suffer more from (anxious) thoughts that convince them that dating is not safe and therefore not worth it. However, when you ask couples what they miss the most since being in a relationship, they often start talking about first times like the first kiss, beginning butterflies or the first time they woke up together. All aspects that make dating so valuable and worthwhile, contrary to what people who suffer from date burnout think.   From burn-out to burning desire Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to deal with date burnout. One is to not think too far ahead, because no matter how much you muse about it, you simply cannot know if you will spend the rest of your life with someone after one or two dates. Worrying about this will give you unnecessary anxiety, preventing you from experiencing the positive emotion of a date. Think about whether you would like to date this person in the next one to two month(s)? This will reduce feelings of stress, making you more receptive to a connection and perhaps even a budding love. The next important thing to consider is the uncomfortable uncertainty of not knowing if you want/need a relationship with someone. Your instinct in this state may tell you to continue looking at what else is around on the singles market in the meantime, but if you are looking for something long-term it can help to see this uncertainty and uncomfortable feelings as part of your current dating developments. By experiencing them rather than avoiding them, you build a tolerance for them. As a result, a budding relationship is more likely to unfold naturally. Another piece of advice is to break away from so-called “rules”. Rules are often unrealistic and

Yes, you read it right. A matchmaker. “How so?” you may be thinking. A successful man, with a good sense of humor, impressive looks and a good set of brains, who prefers matchmaking to personal hunting…. Dark blue tailored suit, handmade Italian shoes. A charismatic head with an impressive head of hair. His beeping Iphone lies on the table in front of him, the emails keep pouring in. Calmly he takes a sip of his espresso, while he goes through the latest financial news. He has made an agreement with his secretary that he does not want to be disturbed before ten o’clock in the morning. The first hours of the day are for himself: exercise, meditate and then have a healthy breakfast. Just recharge before the daily rat race starts again. As CEO of a fast-growing company, his life is hectic and his schedule is usually overflowing. The screen of his phone lights up: an incoming call from that nice date from a few days ago. He grabs the iPhone and a smile appears on his face: time is made for his new love. And that new love, he got to know thanks to his personal matchmaker. Yes, you read it correctly. A matchmaker. “How so?’Can’t he do that himself, then!’, may come to mind. There seems to be another stigma attached to it: a man who enlists professional help to find the love of his life. A few think it’s an act of weakness, a kind of loss of face. For women it seems less strange to hire a matchmaker: they are usually used to getting advice from their loved ones and talking a lot with friends, a personal matchmaker is simply considered an extension of that. For men, the threshold therefore seems higher, which is unjustified. After all, it is precisely logical for a confident, successful man to go for a matchmaker. With regard to other aspects of his life he also chooses the very best: to keep fit he has a personal trainer, to look good he has an experienced tailor and the design of his new house he leaves to a much vaunted interior stylist. Then it is really only logical that in terms of his love life he is not satisfied with less. Instead of going on the hunt himself, he leaves the arrangement of a date to a professional. Smart, because this prevents unnecessary waste of time and increases the chances of success in love. In America, personal matchmaking is now the most normal thing in the world. The country is at the forefront of this type of service. From personal shoppers to daily dog walkers, Americans are not afraid to outsource certain tasks. And that includes the personal matchmaker. It has nothing to do with the customer’s inability or unwillingness to find a date himself. No, on the contrary: if you choose a matchmaker, you show that you know what you want and that you won’t settle for less. And that, in turn, makes you more attractive to a future love. The perfect win-win situation!

A potential partner these days has to be all in one; funny, inspiring, good looking and have a great career. He or she must share our values, fit in nicely with our social circle and be good in bed. But above all, the other person must be a soulmate, the one. Aren’t we making too high demands on a partner? We would like to tell you in the blog about realistic expectations in love. High expectations We no longer need a partner to survive and therefore intimacy has taken on a different meaning: not an economic one, but an inner one. The other person must really add something to our lives, says psychotherapist and relationship expert Esther Perel. We also have more to choose from. We no longer have to set our sights on that nice girl next door, but can easily swipe ten potential matches together. Appearances have become much more important and dates can sometimes resemble a job interview. We don’t even give ourselves a chance to discover how nice, funny and sweet the other person might be. Nowadays, highly educated women have a hard time in the relationship market. After all, women don’t want to “downdate”. They want a partner who is at least as highly educated as they are. While men usually find downdating no problem. But looks are often their number one priority. And furthermore, many men mainly want “no hassle”. Relationship Conditions  There must be both sexual attraction and friendship. Without chemistry it quickly becomes a brother-sister relationship, but with only fireworks in bed you won’t be able to make it together. Other important relationship values include trust, attention and connection. Keep in mind that this takes time, love at first sight is rare. Although some people are a better match for you than others, there is no such thing as a soul mate, according to Esther Perel. ‘It’s about finding someone you want to build a life with and then become the one, but that can be with different people.’ So… does the one and only exist? According to American psychologist John Gottman, there is no such thing as the one. Besides attraction, he says it is important to support each other’s life dreams and to admire and respect each other. And you have to like the other person for who they are and not want to change them. After all, changing someone doesn’t work anyway. And is it so bad if the other is a bit sloppy, can’t cook very well or doesn’t like sports very much? After all, that is also possible with a friend. We never find everything in a person and we don’t have to. So think carefully about what is really important to you and what are dealbreakers, and these should not be fifteen but rather five. If you have that clear, you will start looking for the right one with the right expectations!

Little by little, the Netherlands is opening up again to foreign visitors who want to travel to our country with a Schengen Visum. This is good news for Dutch people with, for example, a foreign partner or long distance relationship. Whether you can travel to the Netherlands depends on your situation Special conditions may apply to your travel to the Netherlands, or you may need a visa. Travel from a ‘red’ country to the Netherlands is not allowed, but for people with a long distance relationship an exception is made. But there is a lot to arrange before your love can come to the Netherlands. Let us help you out. A foreign partner requiring a visa can come to the Netherlands for a short or long stay, provided he/she meets a number of conditions.  When a foreign partner comes to the Netherlands, it can be for a short stay (up to a maximum of 90 days) or a long stay (up to a maximum of 5 years or indefinitely). You are living and residing in the Netherlands yourself at the time your partner wishes to travel to the Netherlands. You and your partner have a relationship of at least 3 months. These are just three of the conditions, we advise reading the official statement from the Dutch Government on the Temporary Arrangement for Partners in a Long Distance Relationship. Perhaps even more important: how do you survive a long distance relationship in times of corona? We know this is not an easy task. In the beginning it may have been enough to video call, write cards and keep in touch every day, but now more than a year later you long for more. And that’s only natural.  Many long-distance couples were accustomed to organizing frequent in-person visits with their partners prior to COVID-19, but the closing of both state and national borders has left planes grounded and couples stranded. The capacity to communicate and sense an attachment from afar, as well as trust, are essential. It’s not the same as being physically with someone, and during COVID-19, many have shown a need for that connection, which has been referred to as “skin hunger.” You could turn on your computer and cook together, or you could listen to music. It’s as if you’re physically together, so use your imagination!

The Dutch are often labeled as stingy. But according to the research of LoveEconomy, this isn’t all that bad. It shows that the Dutch are relatively generous when it comes to dates. The research shows that the Englishman is the most generous dater, then comes the Dutchman. Contrary to popular opinion, not all Dutch women are tall and blonde, and not all Dutch guys will make you ‘go Dutch’ and split the bill, or send you a Tikkie for the extra drink you had on your first date. Despite the fact that each person is unique, Dutch people appear to have distinct behavioral tendencies. When you behave ‘normal,’ you are already crazy enough. According to a well-known Dutch proverb. When it comes to dating, the Dutch prefer to keep things lighthearted and allow things to unfold gradually Dutch flirting: you may argue that dating etiquette in the Netherlands is less formal than in the United States, Russia, or France. To begin with, there are fewer dating ‘rules.’ Also, rather than following a set of rules, people act on instinct. Playing hard to get doesn’t work in the Netherlands because Dutch men and women admire honesty and efficiency.  The Dutch have a reputation for being direct, forthright, and down-to-earth, and this extends to dating. Unlike in certain cultures, where the guy usually starts the first date, in the Netherlands, it is not unusual for women to initiate the first date. Gender equality is strong in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands dating culture, you’ll quickly notice that… The Dutch appreciate deeper, purposeful conversations far more than small talk. Because of their honest approach to dating, they may ask you personal questions or seek your opinion. Your Dutch date is curious in your thoughts on these topics in order to see if you are compatible. When dating a Dutch man or woman, you might find their honesty refreshing. Need help with the Dutch dating culture or are you ready to find love in The Netherlands? Contact Infinity Relations! 

There are various ways to meet single expats and perhaps find your soul mate if you have recently moved to the Netherlands and are wanting to date.  The Netherlands has long been one of the most sought-after expat destinations in the world. It’s hardly surprising that so many people desire to live here. If you’ve recently relocated to the Netherlands, it’s normal to want to meet new people and form new relationships. There are various ways to meet single expats. And you will both have similar interests for sure. As both of you are expats, you’re bound to share at least one shared interest: travel. Not to mention that falling in love in a different place is a fantastic experience itself. If you’re dating a local, things may get complicated. Having a different nationality and native language is very exciting indeed, but cultural differences may cause friction. Dating a local or an expat can be a rewarding challenge. Getting to know each other, and at the same time getting to know a new culture is one of the best things there is. If you wish to widen your love horizons outside the Dutch dating scene and explore the worldwide dating pool, a high end matchmaker might be a great idea!  No matter what you’re looking for, a matchmaker agency helps out In Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague, where the majority of expats live, dating apps and personal matchmakers are particularly popular. As a result, if you live in one of these cities, you may find it easier to find a mate.  In the Netherlands, there are numerous expat organisations that cater to a wide range of interests and countries. People can broaden their social circle, establish new acquaintances, and meet like-minded singles by participating in these activities. While these clubs aren’t especially for singles, they do give a great way to meet people who share your interests. This also means that if you meet your partner through one of them, you will undoubtedly share a common interest. In the Netherlands, finding a date might be difficult Whether you’ve moved to the Netherlands or are visiting for employment, the odds are you’ll start seeking for a like-minded single at some point. Fortunately, joining one of the many Dutch dating services makes finding the ideal date a lot easier!  Infinity Relations has a proven track record of assisting elite singles in finding meaningful matches and creating love relationships that last.