Susan Alper Connections: Best Montreal Matchmaking Service?

Montreal matchmaker Susan Alper's Susan Alper Connections charges undisclosed fees ($150 initial consultation) determined by search scope and match criteria rather than flat rates, using a blind dating approach without sharing photos beforehand to encourage clients to "come outside the box" beyond physical attraction.

Founded in 2007 in Westmount, Quebec after years organizing singles events, Alper offers matchmaking ("Connections" packages), life coaching, and image consulting with a 3.9-star Google rating (11 reviews), serving young professionals, athletes, widowers, and busy executives seeking long-term relationships.

Key Insights:

• Customized pricing structure: Susan Alper doesn't use flat rates, instead charging based on "what you need from me", with final costs determined by search scope and match criteria (pricing discussed during/after $150 consultation)
• Three service offerings: Provides matchmaking ("Connections" packages), life coaching for overcoming personal/professional hurdles, and image consulting to improve first impressions in social and professional settings
• Lifelong matchmaking passion: Started bringing couples together as a teenager hosting Sunday brunch parties, organizing singles meet-ups in her 20s before founding Susan Alper Connections in 2007
• Management and event planning background: Born and raised in Montreal, carved out career in management, organization, and event planning before transitioning to matchmaking, influenced by mother who was lead executive for high-end fashion designer
• Blind dating philosophy: Doesn't share photos before dates because "it takes away the discretion" and compares advance photos to online dating, believing physical-only attraction prevents clients from coming "outside of the box"
• Phone conversations encouraged: Suggests clients and matches have phone conversations before meeting in person to build connection beyond physical appearance
• Database and network sourcing: Sifts through singles database or utilizes matchmaking network to identify potential matches, actively recruiting singles but requiring formal consultations before matching with paid clients
• Mixed review feedback: 3.9-star Google rating based on 11 reviews with some praising match quality and singles events, but 1-star reviews mentioning perceived lack of professionalism

If you’re looking for a Montreal matchmaker, it’s likely that Susan Alper Connections is on your radar.  It makes sense you’d want to do a little research before deciding if she’s the right matchmaker for you. 

Our team of experts has reviewed 200+ matchmaking seorvices, digging deep into their operations, success rates, customer experiences, and more. 

These reviews are based on extensive research and over 14 years of first-hand industry knowledge. We know what clients value most in a service.

Let’s start with…

Born and raised in Montreal, Susan Alper carved out a career in management, organization, and event planning before venturing into matchmaking. 

Growing up, she was influenced by her mother, a lead executive for one of Canada's high-end fashion designers. Alper says she taught her a strong work ethic and she always believed in the matchmaking tradition. 

Alper's affinity for matchmaking was evident during her childhood, long before she'd ever considered it as a professional opportunity. According to Alper, she’s been bringing couples together since she was a teenager:

“I kind of started to always bring people together at a very young age. I always made parties at my house and then I got to my teen years, I started to make brunch parties at my house on Sundays.”

Her passion for bringing people together evolved as she got older, leading her to organize singles meet-ups. 

In her words:

“And then later on, probably in my 20s, I started to match people. My friends, you know, and people I knew.”

Her enthusiasm for uniting people eventually led to a career change. In 2007, she established Susan Alper Connections in Westmount, Quebec. The agency caters to a spectrum of clientele, from young professionals and athletes to widowers and busy executives, primarily those seeking long-term relationships.  

Susan Alper Connections offers 3 services, each intended to enhance personal or relationship aspects of a client's life.

Matchmaking

Matchmaking, or what she calls the "Connections" package, is not a one-size-fits-all approach. 

Instead these packages are tailored to fit individual client preferences. For those considering this option, the process begins with an initial consultation so she can get to know you better and determine if you're a good fit for services. 

If both parties agree to work together, Alper sifts through her singles database or utilizes her matchmaking network to identify potential matches.

Life Coaching

Life Coaching services are intended for clients looking to overcome personal or professional hurdles. 

Regular appointments are set, during which clients can discuss their challenges with Alper. Together, they work to find viable solutions and promote self-confidence in clients.

Image Consulting

Finally, there's Image Consulting. This service is designed to assist clients in making adjustments to their social and professional settings, the goal is aiding them to make better first impressions. 

The matchmaking process at Susan Alper Connections starts with an initial consultation, which comes at a cost of $150. In this session, Alper gathers information about your background, lifestyle habits, and what you're looking for in an ideal partner.

In her own words, 

“In my consultation, we talk about your needs, your past. You know, I listen to you carefully. So if there’s things you’re telling me that you want, and I don’t feel it’s in your lifestyle, I’ll discuss this with you.”

While she actively recruits singles to be part of her database, Alper emphasizes the importance of a formal consultation before matching any individual with a paid client. 

As she puts it,  

“If I fix up anybody with the man, they have to come in for a consultation if I don’t know her.” 

When setting up clients with a match, Alper opts not to share photos beforehand because "it takes away the discretion" and compares seeing pictures ahead of time to online dating.

As she shared in an article, 

“Being physically attracted to your partner is important, but if you base attraction solely on a pretty picture, you are probably not going to be able to come ‘outside of the box’. In the dating world, this means coming outside of your comfort zone.”

She suggests that clients and matches have a phone conversation before meeting in person. 

Alper shared in an interview that there’s one element to matchmaking that she can’t control - the spark between two people. Or as she puts it, 

"I can’t make chemistry. Nobody but you two can make chemistry." 

Once a date has taken place, Alper follows up with both parties to gather feedback and see if you’re interested in meeting again. 

Let's see what clients have to say about their matchmaking experience with Susan Alper… 

Susan Alper Connections has a 3.9 rating on Google, based on 11 reviews.

Some clients shared that they felt the quality of their matches were good:

Other clients, like this reviewer, enjoyed the singles event they attended:

There are also a couple of 1-star Susan Alper reviews on Google, both of which mentioned a perceived lack of professionalism. 

While Susan Alper Connections doesn't publicly reveal its pricing, the final costs are determined by factors such as the scope of your search and your preferred match criteria. 

Pricing details are typically discussed during or after the initial consultation. Once Alper has a comprehensive understanding of your needs she can make recommendations on which combination of services she thinks would best suit your goals. 

In an interview, Alper explains her approach to pricing: 

“I don’t have a flat rate because I don’t go by your income. I go by what you need from me.” 

To give you a general idea of what you might be paying for services, let's take a look at what other Montreal matchmakers charge.

Montreal Matchmakers Price Comparison

Enamour, for instance, takes a dual-pronged approach to finding your ideal partner. 

The team offers elite matchmaking from within an exclusive, invitation-only database. They also extend the search far and wide, using recruiting technology and an extensive network of scouts to pinpoint highly compatible singles for you to meet.

Each match is thoroughly vetted, and you can approve or pass based on a full profile and photos.

Matchmaking packages start at around $20,000 for 6 months of service.

VIDA Select, working with clients throughout Quebec, takes a modern approach that unlocks the largest source of eligible singles there is. VIDA also provides a full profile of each potential for your review, including photos.

With flexible, “pay-as-you-go” packages, VIDA offers service on a month-to-month basis - so no long-term contract.

Monthly packages start at $1,595. There is also a "90-Day Match Guarantee" package for $5,750, which includes at least 5 highly curated matches you personally approve. Guaranteed results, or the search continues at no additional cost.

On average, clients begin a relationship with someone special within just 3 months of starting their service. Find out if VIDA is right for you - get started here!