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.. Reviews are mixed—2.7 stars on Google (40+ reviews), 1.9 on Yelp (20+ reviews). One key detail: Typically no photos are shared before dates, so introductions are usually blind dates.

Key Insights:

• Donna Shugrue founded Perfectly Matched in 1991 after working at other Denver-area matchmaking companies
• The service uses a 46-statement compatibility test scoring clients 1–10 across six categories
• Reviews are mixed: 2.7 stars on Google (40+ reviews), 1.9 on Yelp (20+ reviews), 1 star on BBB (2 reviews)
• All clients give consent to background checks
• Common complaints in reviews cite waiting long periods for matches and receiving fewer introductions than expected

Editorial Note: This review was researched and written by VIDA Select's editorial team to help singles determine the right service for their needs and goals. As a matchmaking service ourselves, we bring a unique industry perspective. Our insights come from 17+ years of matchmaking experience, writing 200+ matchmaking service reviews, analyzing public information including reviews on reputable platforms, and feedback from clients who used other services before hiring VIDA. While this review is updated regularly, it may not reflect the latest public data or current pricing.

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.

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 Donna selects a match, she reaches out to both clients and shares details about the other person. Income level isn't shared but it is used to match couples on compatible income levels.

Shugrue does describe physical characteristics including eye color, hair color, height, and weight. Showing pictures is not recommended but can be considered. 

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, whether or not they have children, if they smoke or drink alcohol, their education level,their long term goals and their shared interest and activities.” 

She also asks her clients to write in their own words what their ideal relationship would look like and she shared that information with each match.

Background Checks

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

Final pricing depends on the package level and number of introductions included.

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

Google: 2.4 Stars (50+ 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: 1.8 Stars (30 Reviews)

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 3 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.

Another 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 35 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 and singles who value detailed background information over visual first impressions.

There are factors worth weighing carefully. The mixed reviews (2.4 Google, 1.8 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. 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

Women and men pay the same fee for her services. 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 $1,695 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.