Perfectly Matched Review [Best Professional Matchmaker?]

Perfectly Matched is a Colorado Springs matchmaking service founded by Donna Shugrue in 1991. With over 30 years in the industry, Shugrue uses a compatibility test scoring system across six categories to match clients. Packages start around $1,800 for 10 introductions over 2-year contracts. Reviews are mixed—2.7 stars on Google (40+ reviews), 1.9 on Yelp (20+ reviews). One key detail: no photos are shared before dates, so all introductions are blind dates.

Key Insights:

• Donna Shugrue founded Perfectly Matched in 1991 after working at other Denver-area matchmaking companies
• Packages start around $1,800 for 10 introductions; contracts span 2 years
• The service uses a 46-statement compatibility test scoring clients 1–10 across six categories
• No photos are shared before dates—all matches are blind dates with physical descriptions only
• Reviews are mixed: 2.7 stars on Google (40+ reviews), 1.9 on Yelp (20+ reviews), 1 star on BBB (2 reviews)
• All clients must consent to background checks
• Common complaints in reviews cite waiting long periods for matches and receiving fewer introductions than expected

From the small independents to the big industry players, our team of experts has reviewed over 200 matchmaking services. 

Our insight comes from comprehensive research, real customer reviews, and a deep understanding of the matchmaking landscape. With 14+ years of firsthand industry experience, we know what customers value in a service!

Donna Shugrue is the founder of Perfectly Matched, a Colorado Springs matchmaking service she established in 1991. She has been in the matchmaking industry for over three decades.

Shugrue's path to matchmaking began after experiencing upheaval in her personal life. Fresh out of high school, she relocated to Scotland when her father, a Colonel in the US Air Force, was stationed there. During her time overseas, she met and fell in love with a young pilot. The couple eventually moved back to the States, and by 19, Shugrue was married and expecting their first child.

Decades later, at 40, Shugrue found herself post-divorce and searching for a full-time career. Her lifelong enjoyment of connecting couples inspired her next chapter.

Her first foray into professional matchmaking was with a Denver-based company called Successful Singles International, which eventually went out of business. She joined another agency but left due to dissatisfaction with the company's sales strategies and matching approach.

In 1991, she established Perfectly Matched in Colorado Springs and has been working with singles there ever since.

Potential clients typically start the process by completing a compatibility profile test. This assessment covers 6 components of compatibility: temperament, sociability, conformity, affection, religion, and finance.

The test consists of 46 statements designed to reveal different aspects of your personality. You indicate your level of agreement or disagreement on a scale of 1 ("Clearly Agree") to 5 ("Clearly Disagree"). Statements include things like "I have pleasant memories of childhood" and "I like to shop at discount stores."

A score from 1 to 10 is assigned in each category. According to the methodology, your responses reveal details about your sense of humor, romantic inclinations, spending habits, and more. These tests and their scores serve as the foundation of Shugrue's matchmaking process. 

The Consultation

After completing the test, Shugrue schedules a consultation to discuss results and learn about your long-term goals, interests, and lifestyle habits—including whether you smoke, consume alcohol, your education level, and income.

The Matching Process

If you become a client, Shugrue selects matches where compatibility scores are closely aligned.

As she puts it, 

“All my matches start with these scores. That’s how strongly I believe in them.”

When Shugrue selects a match, she reaches out to both clients and shares details about the other person. However, income level isn't disclosed, and photos are not shared—all introductions are blind dates.

Shugrue does describe physical characteristics including eye color, hair color, height, and weight. 

As she explained in an interview, 

“Before you meet someone, you know where they were born, how many brothers and sisters they have, whether or not they own their homes, whether or not they have pets, what religion they are, if they go to church, what church they go to…” 

Background Checks

All clients must consent to background checks as part of the agreement.

Reviews for Perfectly Matched are mixed across platforms, with significant variation in client experiences.

Google: 2.7 Stars (40+ Reviews)

Some reviewers reported positive experiences, saying they met someone special through the service. Others praised Shugrue's dedication to the process and the quality of matches they received.

This client was happy with the quality of his matches:

And this one commended Shugrue for her dedication to the process:

However, negative reviews were equally common. Most expressed frustration with the quality and quantity of matches and perceived lack of communication.

Yelp: 1.9 Stars (20+ Reviews)

Many negative reviews mentioned waiting a long time for just a few matches. However, there were some 5-star reviews praising Shugrue's methodology and the good advice she provided.

However, there were a few 5-star Perfectly Matched reviews on Yelp. This client mentioned Shugrue’s methodology:

And this reviewer shared that Shugrue gave her good advice:

Better Business Bureau: A+ Rating, 1 Star (2 Reviews)

Perfectly Matched is not BBB accredited but holds an A+ rating. However, customer reviews average just 1 star based on 2 reviews.

One reviewer claimed they paid $2,000 and only went on 5 dates. Another was with the service for 2 years and still hadn't met the 10 matches agreed upon in their contract.

The other 1-star review was with the service for 2 years and they still had not met the 10 matches that were agreed upon:

The BBB reports 1 complaint closed within the last 12 months, though details weren't available.

Donna Shugrue brings over 30 years of matchmaking experience to Colorado Springs, and her compatibility test methodology appeals to clients who value a structured, data-driven approach to matching.

The service works best for Colorado Springs singles comfortable with 2-year contracts and upfront payment, those who appreciate a structured compatibility scoring system, clients open to blind dates without seeing photos beforehand, and singles who value detailed background information over visual first impressions.

There are factors worth weighing carefully. The mixed reviews (2.7 Google, 1.9 Yelp, 1 star BBB) suggest inconsistent experiences. Common complaints cite long wait times for matches and receiving fewer introductions than expected within the contract period. The blind-date approach means you won't see photos before meeting—you'll receive physical descriptions only. And 2-year contracts with payment upfront is a significant commitment.

Understanding Contract Terms

Before signing, understand exactly what you're paying for. Some matchmaking packages include a specific number of matches but don't specify the timeframe for receiving them. This isn't necessarily wrong, but it's important to clarify upfront.

The Database Limitation

Boutique matchmakers often match exclusively from internal databases—other paying clients or singles who joined for free. While your perfect match may have signed up for the same service, compatibility isn't one-sided. For a successful pairing, you need to fit their criteria too. Consistently finding mutual matches from a limited database in any one area is challenging.

For singles who prefer seeing photos before dates and want access to a larger dating pool, VIDA Select offers month-to-month matchmaking starting at $1,595 with no long-term contracts. You pre-approve every match based on full profiles with photos, so you walk into first dates confident you're meeting someone with real potential. Most clients meet someone special within 3 months.

Ready to explore your options? Schedule a free, confidential consultation to see which approach fits your goals.