Struggling to Spot Red Flags? How the 3-Date Rule Makes It Easy


Dating can be confusing. Getting to know another human being with whom you intend to spend your life is no small feat. It’s no wonder why there are so many dating strategies out there that claim to…

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Dating the Bridgerton Way


Dear Readers, It is with immense excitement that I am delighted to report that the new season of Bridgerton is underway. Viewers take to their seats with anticipation as we watch the new season's…

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Ask a Matchmaker: How to Dress for a Date


Deciding how to dress for a date? To answer some of the most common dating questions, we sat down with The Setup’s style gurus: Genevieve Gresset, Heather Drury, and Jesse Turner. Here’s what they…

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man texting smiling

The Do’s and Don’ts of Digital Dating


What is etiquette? According to Emily Post (the Queen of Manners, herself) etiquette is simply the “consideration for the rights and feelings of others.” However, a lot has changed since Mrs. Post’s…

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Tinder Swindler

Ask a Matchmaker: How Do I Avoid the Next Tinder Swindler?


Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few days, you’ve likely heard about the latest dating disaster taking the internet by storm. That is, of course, The Tinder Swindler. In Netflix’s…

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March Madness: How to Get Off the Dating Crazy Train


Some people say that love brings out the best of us. Other times, it can make us feel like we’re losing our minds. Consider this experience: “I thought Mark and I had really hit it off on our first…

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The Setup Matchmaking team

Behind the Scenes of Matchmaking


Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Matchmaker? We talked with The Setup’s star players: Genevieve Gresset, Heather Drury, Marie Glover, Jesse Turner, and Tian Wilynn, to see what it’s…

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Cuffing Season

How to Make It Last Past Cuffing Season


Well, Valentine’s Day is over. With that comes the official end of the year’s best season for cuddles. No, I’m not talking about winter–we’ve still got a bit more of that to go. The season I’m…

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Frustrated dating app user

Ask a Matchmaker: 10 Reasons Why Matchmaking Works


It’s tough out there for singles. In today’s digital dating scene, singles are still finding it harder than ever to settle into long, lasting relationships. Thankfully, there’s hope. Since the dawn…

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Cute couple about to kiss

12 Unconventional Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day


Seeing red? Pink, too? You’re not the only one. This time of year, a simple stroll around town will showcase store windows decked out in ribbons and bows, chocolates in heart shaped, velvet boxes,…

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celebrities

Find your 2022 Celebrity Muse


With the new year upon us, now is the perfect time to think ahead, plan, and envision an ideal romantic future. What better way to gain inspiration than the celebrity couples currently gracing the…

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setup banner new year

New Year’s Resolutions? 5 Dating Habits to Drop in 2022


Did you hear the news? The iconic Times Square Ball Drop is back this New Year’s Eve, allowing in-person guests for the first time since the pandemic. Like many years before, viewers from across the…

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Christmas tree

Best Romantic Christmas Movies on Netflix in 2021


Whether you’re spending the holidays back home with family, cuddled-up with your lover, or making out with a pint of ice cream a la the iconic single-style of Bridget Jones, one thing is for…

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couple walking into sunset

How Covid Changed Love and Dating


A couple years ago, if you would have asked any one of Savannah’s friends who was the biggest “party animal” in their group, with no hesitation, it would have been her name boldly declared. Wild,…

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Thanksgiving dinner

Single Survivor Guide for Thanksgiving


Oh, Thanksgiving. The annual Fall feast of gratitude and gravy is right around the corner. As a kid, it used to be one of my favorite holidays—a long weekend off of school, watching football with my…

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A happy couple

Third Time’s a Charm: How the 3 Date Rule Makes Dating a Breeze


Here at The Setup, we’re dedicated to giving you the tools of empowerment you need for the sometimes scary journey that is dating. Dating should be something easy and fun. However, self-sabotage and…

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Single Mom and son laughing while on basketball court

3 Tips for Dating As a Single Mom


Dating as a single mom is tricky enough without all the bad behavior we see online these days. As a mom, you tend to consider the impact felt by your children before you even pause to think about…

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Father Daughter Bedtime Story - Men Have a Biological Clock

Men Have a Biological Clock Too


Most people have heard the expression geriatric pregnancy. It’s the heinous medical terminology given to a pregnant woman over the age of 35. I’m only 30 and I’m already offended. But what you…

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Couple sitting on a rock overlooking a beautiful beach

Your First Trip as a Couple


Your first trip as a couple should be full of shared experiences and romantic moments. But it’s also typically filled with stress, excitement, and nervous energy, especially with all the COVID travel…

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Couple on Date at Coffee Shop Experience Love at First Sight

Myth or Magic: Love at First Sight


According to a 2017 poll, 72% of men and 61% of women believe in love at first sight. But 41% of men and 29% of women claim to have actually experienced it. Not to be confused with the reality show,…

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Couple Reads #DatingDictionary Next to Fountain

The Setup’s #DatingDictionary


Dating has gone through a complete evolutionary renaissance in the last few decades, and with it comes an entire new #DatingDictionary. Even Webster adds new words every year! I like to call it the…

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Man in Suit Cuddles Woman - Keep romance Alive

The Top 4 Ways to Keep Romance Alive


Love is an actionable verb. You have to wake up every single day and choose to love your partner. Play with them. Plan things to make them feel special and appreciated. Make them a priority in your…

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Couple in Bed Together Sharing Intimacy and Laughing

Sex and Intimacy: How Soon is Too Soon?


Think back to that first time you met the person you’re talking to. Focus on the time you first felt butterflies in your stomach, that indescribable cosmic rush between your head, heart, maybe even…

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Couple Kissing and Making Up - 5 Apology Styles

How to Say I’m Sorry – 5 Apology Styles


The 5 Apology Styles are: Expressing Regret, Accepting Responsibility, Genuinely Repenting, Making Restitution, and Requesting Forgiveness.  The creator of the 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman,…

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Couple Driving with the Top Down - Put Yourself Out There

Are You Ready to Put Yourself Out There?


Before you decide to put yourself out there again, think about what it is that you are really seeking. And if you don’t know, maybe this will help you consider defining what you are looking for in…

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Phone with Dating Apps - Catch a Catfish

How to Catch a Catfish


Dating apps are like the Wild West, so swipers beware! Today we’re going to teach you how to catch a catfish, so you will be a little safer online. When online dating was in its infancy, it was like…

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Couple Cuddling in the Park - Date a Doctor

#SuccessfulSingles: How to Date a Doctor


At The Setup, we specialize in setting up like-minded, career-oriented singles and sending them out on their last first date. So, we thought it would be helpful to look at the pros and cons of…

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Couple on Date at Fair - Join the Setup

Why Should You Join The Setup?


Most people have never considered hiring a Matchmaker before; that’s okay! We understand that this is a complicated product that requires a time investment as much as a financial investment. That…

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Man Lost in Thought - Declutter Your Mind

Declutter Your Mind & Clean Out Your Closets


Have you done your #springcleaning yet? It feels so nice to cleanse your closets of all the stuff you’ve kept for too long. When you clean out your space, it helps to also declutter your mind, and…

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Couple Crossing Street Laughing - Communication

Communication: The Key to Commitment


Today, I want to talk about what happens after you’ve met someone and decided to start seeing each other exclusively. How do you effectively express your needs in a hookup culture that fears…

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Woman Surprised by Ghost Over Coffee - Haunting

Haunting: When Ghosters Return


So you’ve been ghosted...or have you? You feel your phone vibrate. Why is HE liking your Instagram posts?! You haven’t talked in weeks, not since he dropped off planet Earth and stopped texting you…

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Woman in Club on her Phone Ghosting

Ghosting: How to Maintain Your Spirit


Online dating has bred a whole new batch of bad dating behavior, the most common of these being ghosting. There’s a certain level of anonymity to dating apps. Most of the time, you’re swiping,…

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Couple at Sports Bar During one of their First Few Dates

Ask the Experts: 5 Tips for the First Few Dates


The most important thing to remember early on, especially in those first few dates, is to remain present. Stay in the moment and just enjoy one another’s company. This is the easiest way to combat…

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Man & Woman Get Over their Deal-Breakers and Embrace Happily

How to Break Up With Your Deal-Breakers


Let’s talk about deal-breakers. We all have them. Deal-breakers can mean different things to different people, so for the purpose of this article, let’s define them as criteria you use to disqualify…

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Couple on Date Making Bad First Impressions

#CouplesGoals – Bad First Impressions


Do you ever wonder why we celebrate relationships in literature like Romeo and Juliet despite their bad first impressions, heinous miscommunication, tragic endings, and/or obvious character flaws? In…

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Woman Contemplates Dating After Divorce while Staring at her Ring

Dating After Divorce: Preparing for the Next Chapter


Research says, the second most stressful life event one can experience is divorce. Preceded only by the death of a loved one and followed by a personal health crisis. Dating after divorce can be just…

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Couple at a Bar - Conversation Starters

Top 30 Conversation Starters


Vanessa Van Edwards separates conversation starters into three categories based on how long you’ve spent with someone: five minutes, five hours, or five days, in her book, Captivate: The Science of…

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4 Ladies Pose for Camera- Womens Intuition

Myth or Magic: Women’s Intuition


We’ve all heard of women’s intuition. It’s an age-old phenomenon, but in recent years science has proven its validity. According to the British Journal of Psychology, Intuition is what happens when…

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Shirtless Bathroom Selfie - Profile Pics

20 Tips for Profile Pics


Last time, I talked about the importance of having the right profile pics. Today, I want to go a little further by giving you my top 20 tips for profile pics. These are action items to help you take…

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Woman Takes Selfie on Beach for Her Profile Picture

A Profile Picture is Worth A Thousand Words


Your profile picture is the first thing people see, and it’s what will make them want to swipe right or message you. We have done some experiments to see what gets the right attention and what…

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Couple on Coffee Date Not Oversharing

TMI: The Fine Line Between Oversharing & Authenticity


Oversharing often occurs despite the best of intentions. They may share something embarrassing to overshadow someone else’s shame, or try to fill an awkward silence to make their date more…

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Couple Leans in Over Dinner - Decoding Body Language

Decoding Body Language


According to Vanessa Van Edwards, Author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People, there are over 800 non-verbal signals made during a 30-minute first date. Once you learn how to read your…

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Masked Couple - COVID & the 5 Love Languages

COVID & The 5 Love Languages


Today, we're going to take a look at all 5 Love Languages in the time of Corona, and how to express each of them in a safe and healthy way. The 5 Love Languages is a theory, developed by Gary Chapman…

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Man Relaxes in Chair - How to Handle Rejection

How to Handle Rejection Like a Boss


I don’t care who you are, where you’re from, what you did, getting rejected sucks. Unfortunately, we have to learn how to handle rejection because it’s part of life. Admit it...you sang that in your…

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Playful Couple Cuddles on Couch Laughing at Bad Dating Advice

Don’t Listen to Bad Dating Advice


We have all received outdated, unsolicited, downright bad dating advice from friends, family, acquaintances, maybe even complete strangers. You know that nosey aunt who shares way too much…

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Man Holds Kitten after Feeling Lonely

Are You Alone or Just Feeling Lonely?


Have you ever found yourself standing in an arena full of people and realized you  feel completely and utterly alone? On the other hand, there are times when you’re capable of being 100% fulfilled…

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Man Happily Carries Plant Out of Apartment After Leaving an Imbalanced Relationship

Should You Stay in an Imbalanced Relationship?


An imbalanced relationship is common; it’s never never 50/50, despite couples unfairly using this as the golden rule. Shifting efforts is common and expected. When it becomes a problem is when those…

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Couple with Sparklers on NYE - Reflect on Your Life

Reflect on Your Life Cause the Roaring 20s are Here


We don’t often take time out of our daily lives to really dig deep and self assessment. So, that’s exactly what I want you to do today. Take a few deep, cleansing breaths, and reflect on your life.…

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Group of Friends Online Dating in a Bar

The Online Dating App-idemic


Move over COVID, there’s a new epidemic in town. The Online Dating App-idemic affects single people of all ages and walks of life, but Millennials are especially vulnerable.   About 80% of human…

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