Success Stories

I am really excited to tell you that Martin and I are now engaged! Here's our story:

Hi Verity
I'm just writing to say thanks so much for helping me out of a really lonely time in my life... I moved to the Hibiscus Coast a couple of years ago after ending a relationship, to be closer to family, but had left all of my friends behind on the other side of Auckland. Most of my friends have settled down with husbands and children, so weren't interested in hitting the "singles scene" with me. After attending a few of your awesome functions, I met some great people, and now have heaps of friends up here on the Coast! I also ended up meeting a wonderful guy, and married him on Saturday on the beach at Red Beach, close to where we've just built our new "love nest". Two of my bridesmaids were close friends who I met at one of your "Girls' Mingle" events at the Stonehouse in Mission Bay. My only regret is, now that I'm not single any longer, I won't be able to come along to any of your super events... unless you have another "Traffic Light" theme - hold me back! Cheers and good luck for your full time venture! Angie and Glenn

Angela and Glenn were married Saturday 9th January 2010

A couple of my friends were going Speed Dating so I decided to join them, it would be good socializing practice and if nothing else, a fun night out….I wasn’t expecting to meet the man I’m hoping to spend the rest of my life with!
The event was well organized and not as daunting as I thought it would be but then again I did go along with two friends which helped.
I enjoyed myself and I got to chat with lots of men during the evening as well as a few of the ladies before the event.
My date with Aaron was the best though! I found him funny, honest, and very easy to talk to.
He was so lovely that my two friends attending that night chose him as well!!
A couple of weeks after the event we met for a coffee date which was followed be a few dinner and movie nights in the following months.
We’ve been seeing each other since October 2008 and things are going very well, we are looking forward to a happy future together.

Thank you Verity and Speed Dating for bringing us together!!

Usha

Usha                             Aaron
38 years old                 37 years old
Research Technician    Draughtsman

Usha and Aaron met at Speed Date 14th August 2008

He says....
It was August, 2006. Both my flatmate and I were single and he had been harping on about us going to speed dating for the last couple of months. He talked me round by saying I could go out on Thursday night, meet 12 women and set up a few dates for the following weeks or I could sit around the house watching TV.

I had an awesome night, had a few drinks and meet some cool people. With five minutes to meet someone it's surprising how quickly you click with some and know it's not really going to work out with others. In the end I ended up with 4 dates, which was great. My first date was with Angela and it went very well, so well in fact three years on we are still together and are getting married next March.

So cheers Verity you never know who you will meet on night out at speed dating, for me it was my perfect match.

Trent

She says...
It took us a few weeks to arrange a date after finding out we had a match from speed dating. We had a fantastic night out and before the night was over I knew I wanted to see Trent again, 3 awesome and busy years later we are looking forward to our wedding next year and
spending our lives together!

We celebrated our engagement a few weeks ago, and got a fantastic surprise when Trent's brother gave us our original speed date cards, thanks so much Verity I'm sure it would have taken some time to dig those out!! They'll be a memento to go in the wedding album!

I would recommend speed dating to anyone, especially if it's not 'your kind of thing' it wasn't ours and we found love.

Angela

Trent and Angela met at Speed Date 17th August 2006

I'd never been to a singles night or anything along that nature.  I always had the attitude that it was for desperate people or for geeks. Well guess what - I'm with a geek now.  An IT geek that is. 

My friend and I booked in for the Valentines Dinner at Francoli's.
I'd taken a few days off work to help my sister out at her florist shop.  So as you could imagine I was extremely tired and had throbbing feet - and so going out and socializing was the last thing I wanted to do.  But as I'd promised my friend I'd go with her I dragged myself to the shower and freshened up and was ready for a night out. I'd been single for well over a year.   
 
When I first walked in to the room - I took a breath and said to my friend.....come on lets get this over and done with.  And then next minute I saw Roy standing at the bar and thought hhhmmm well maybe it's not going to be that bad after all!  My expectations had gone right out the window as everyone seemed genuine. 
 
Roy and I sat by each other at dinner - we had not spoken prior to sitting down (but I wanted too!!).  We just hit it off straight away.  Our conversations we have is something even now we get side tracked with.  We can literally talk for hours and not realise the time going by....
At the dinner when the females had to move for dessert the conversations I had with the other men just didn't stimulate me the way Roy did.  So as soon as you said the other room was open and you can go and dance etc...well I was off.  I walked past Roy and told him I was going to dance and then we've been together ever since.
 
Roy was living in Hamilton at the time - but now lives in Auckland where we are living happily together.  
 
Many thanks (and thank you for the Duetz!)
Sarah and Roy :-)

Sarah             Roy
33 yrs old       44 yrs old
Accounts        IT
         West Auckland

Sarah & Roy met at Valentines Dinner 2008 

It was definitely worth the effort of turning up and the nerves at the start of the night!
I hadn't been living in NZ for very long and was invited by a friend and thought, why not go for a laugh and it's worth trying anything once. Worse case scenario it would be a funny story to write home about.
George was dragged along by his flat mate as she wanted a wingman.
It was the first speed dating event either of us had attended.
George was the first guy I met that night. I thought he was funny and pretty hot but otherwise didn't give it much thought. He gave me a call afterwards and we just kept dating.
Anyway, two years on, in February this year he proposed on Great Barrier Island!

We are now very busy with wedding plans, lots of fun and lots of compromise.
We are having a beach wedding in October this year – it will be fantastic!

Helen and George.

Helen                      George
34 years old           35 years old
Nurse                     Policeman
Central Auckland   Central Auckland

Helen & George met at Speed Date 15th February 2007

I'm writing to let you know I have met someone special - definitely a perfect match.

I've been to a couple of speed date nights and then the Summer Singles Party where I did meet someone but it didn’t work out.
So I thought I’d give the Valentines Dinner a go, dragging along a friend who was also single and on the lookout for someone new.
I felt very awkward at the beginning of the evening, but met Craig while
mingling outside and he seemed someone interesting.
I sat with others for the dinner, then spotted him again for dessert - and knew that he'd be someone I could actually have a conversation with so I sat next to him.
Lots of shared glances across the table and an entertaining conversation about his theories on dessert selections led to a drink after dinner, but a bit of miscommunication meant that I'd left before we had the chance to swap details.
Thankfully he was keen enough to follow up, and he got you to send on his details - which was flattering, and after playing email tag for a couple of weeks, we managed to book in a coffee, and haven't looked back. Three months on we're going strong.

 Nicola

Nicola                                Craig

36 years old                      43 years old

Teacher                             Investment Manager

West Auckland                  Central Auckland

 Nicola and Craig met at Valentines Dinner 2009
13.04.2010
Just an update to add to your success stories page; Craig and I got engaged at the end of Feb, and will be getting married next January.Thanks for bringing us together!
Regards, Nicola

It was January 2007, a few girlfriends and I had been catching up over a few glasses of wine when the popular topic of men came up.   I had been single for 2 years after a 19 year relationship, my friends were determined to get me out there meeting men and the subject of ‘Speed Dating’ was thrown around, and I for one was not keen.  What if I had no matches?  How embarrassing and everyone would know come the end of the evening!  WRONG!  My girlfriend went on to explain how it worked and that even if I ticked the box to say I was interested in a guy as a date and he was not, only I would know and he would be none the wiser.  It was sounding good, where else could I ask a man out that I thought  was hot and if he rejected me he was none the wiser, this was a win win situation.  She then went on too discuss ratios and with 10 guys there was a higher probability of meeting someone that I matched with than say a planned dinner where there would normally only be three.

The more I thought about it the more it appealed to me, and hey you’ve got to be in to win…. but little did I know I was going to win the jackpot!  So after much excited chatter we decided to book the next day.  We booked for our appropriate age category despite my girlfriend wanting to book for the under 25’s!

The 8th February came around really quickly and before I knew it I was putting on my best pair of jeans (the ones that make my bum look small) and left with a nervous excitement determined to enjoy the evening whatever the result.  Besides, I had already figured out my game plan, if I ticked everyone I had to get a least one date surely!

On arrival at the Empire Tavern in the city, I headed straight for the bar… it was after all my first Speed Date event.  I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly and chatty everyone was, and small groups had already started to form and snacks were available, how civilized I thought.  The process was clearly explained to us and the fun began.  I actually found the 5 minutes with each man went far too quickly, perhaps I talk too much but I had a ball.

The very first man I sat down to date proposed to me a year after having first met him at Speed Date.  We were holidaying in Queenstown and he had organized a helicopter flight to the top of the Remarkables.  He then got down on one knee and presented me with a ring and a confident grin.  Two years from the date of our first meeting we are now very happily married, who said there are no fairy tale endings, I’ve certainly got my happy ever after!

Naomi

Naomi                               Brian
39 yrs old                         47 yrs old
Lecturer                           Tiler         
North Shore                     North Shore       

Naomi & Brian met at Speed Date 8th February 2007

I signed up for a Christian Speed Date last November. I didn't want to go as it was too scary for me, but I thought it might be fun.
Just a few days before the event, I got cold feet and thought it would be better not to go.
I caught up with a friend and we talked about the upcoming Speed Date event, it turns out she knew someone else that was going, so she flicked him a text message to see if he wants to go along to the event with someone and meet her beforehand.
Twenty minutes later he arrived at the cafe where we were and she introduced us to each other.
We had a really nice chat, he asked me if I would like to go with him to the Speed Date event. First I was hesitating, but agreed. At this stage we were not really interested in each other, but it was easier to go together but with the intention to meet someone.
We both put each other down as a friend match and we just decided to catch up some time like friends do with no intention to go any further in a relationship, but a few weeks later everything changed.
We found out that we liked each other more as we share the same vision for our future. For both of us it was significant that we are Christians and we want to share our lives in following God's path. Our relationship grew really fast and now 6 months later we are happily married!
Honestly, if I wouldn't have met him beforehand to get the courage to go, I possibly wouldn't have gone to the Speed Date event and would have missed out my greatest chance to meeting the most loving and best ever husband in the whole world. He's my soul mate for life and I want to encourage every single girl or guy not to miss out any opportunity to meet the perfect match for life. 
   
Kat

Kat and Des met at Christian Speed Date 5th November 2008

Last year we both went to a Speed Date event, expecting a night out and good conversation.
Instead we met each other and started our lives together which will see us getting married next year.
While we both had almost given up hope at meeting someone special at a speed date event, we now think back and giggle about that first meeting. We are now happily in love and are excited about the future ahead.

So thanks to you dragging me along and Jamie not giving up, that our paths finally crossed.

Sometimes it’s up to fate but it’s about making your own fate happen.
 

Julie and Jamie

Julie                      Jamie
24 years old         27 years old
Psychologist          

Ellerslie                 

Julie and Jamie met at Speed Date 2nd April 2008

I thought I would let you know that thanks to Speed Date and Devine intervention I have met my future wife!

I went to your Christian event in April this year, thinking it would be a mixture of fun and no pressure with open minded people.
The result for me could not have been better. God has provided for me someone who has already become my best friend. We have such a lot of fun laughing and doing things together. The best part is that she will become my wife in mid November.
I nearly didn’t go as I had said to God that I would wait for him to provide who he had for me. However something made me go at the last minute.
I am very glad I did go otherwise I would never have met my soul mate for life.
God obviously had no plans for me to wait!
Jo and I are like two peas in a pod and I can’t stop talking about how happy I am!

Now I have to wait 5 LONNNNNNNNNG months before we are married.

Chris

Joanna recalls.....

What Chris neglected to tell you is that the first weekend after the speed-dating was dreadful.  I was so delighted to see that I'd 'matched' with Chris, as he was the guy I felt the most connection with. 
I wasn't going to contact him though (I'm a bit of a traditionalist).
Chris emailed me late on Friday with his mobile number etc and suggested we do something.  So I texted back, then heard nothing.  This, of course, resulted in several conversations with my girlfriends along the lines of 'he's ignored my text. He was so nice on Thursday night, and seemed quite interested and then emailed, but I can't text a second time because I do have my pride' etc etc.  Normally I wouldn't text again but, as I really felt a connection with him, I texted a second time.  And again nothing.  By Tuesday I was feeling really quite disappointed and emailed him a light breezy 'how was your weekend' email.
Turns out his phone wasn't working.  What a relief! Chris told me he felt like emailing me again but his friends persuaded him not to, along the lines of 'you might scare her off'. 
Everything has gone swimmingly since then and we are both sickeningly in love.
I didn't believe in whirlwind romance, but this has changed my mind.
 
Moral of the story:
Don't always take your friends advice
Lovely, decent, gorgeous people are out there
Falling in love can happen really quickly
If you don't take a risk, you might miss out

Joanna                Chris
34 years old       42 years old
Doctor               Quantity Surveyor
West Auckland    Central Auckland

Joanna and Chris met at Christian Speed Date 23^rd April 2009

I attended your very first event & remember thinking what a great forward thinking concept Speed Date was. You provided a relaxed, easy, fun & safe way to meet other singles. Over time - I have attended a few other events but found the Valentines 2008 dinner was the one with the biggest success.
A tall, dark handsome man left with my phone number & on Valentines 2009 we celebrated in style our first year together!
We hope we have many more to come; Thank you for providing us the opportunity for our paths to cross:

For anyone out there that that needs more convincing to get yourself along, then consider this:  Verity should be congratulated on her consistent professionalism in operating a singles/dating business.  The opportunities to exploit could be endless and I believe anyone who has attended one of her events would leave impressed:

Celeste 

Andy recollections of coming to the Valentine’s Dinner - Get off the internet - Eliminate teachers, shift working nurses, internet tire kickers and hysterical Ponsonby road drunks and get along to the next speed date event to find his match!

Celeste                            Andy
35 years old                    44 years old
Business owner               IT
Ponsonby                        Central Auckland

Celeste and Andy met at the Valentines Dinner 14th February 2008

My life changed when I met Frans through Speed Date.

We met at Speed Date on Thursday 6^th March 2008.

My friend Nell suggested we try it as she had a friend who had success ~ i.e. found the guy she later married. Over a few wines one night we made a pact to adventure to one! She looked online and saw it was available on said night and I willingly agreed it was a "date" so to speak!

Frans was there as his colleagues kept hassling him that there a plenty of fish in the sea and that he might just meet 'her'. He went as a stand in for a colleague after he registered and then couldn't attend.

Frans and I got a date match, he says I was memorable and was intrigued - lots of texting, phone calls and then a very cool dinner date. After that we were inseparable. 

Thanks and THANKS. Okay so exactly 11 months to the day of meeting at Speed Date Frans asked me to marry him - and I said YES! We had traveled to South Africa (Frans' place of birth) for 6 weeks at the end of last year where he purchased the diamond solitaire - wedding set for 24 October this year. When you; you know. We are planning the wedding, houses, babies ... when we met we met our best friend. So totally in sync with each other.

We both say we were pleasantly surprised by the number of eligible young men/women who put themselves forward ~ definitely someone for everyone. If ever there was a time for the quote 'first impressions last' to ring true it is here and now. 5 minutes is all you need to meet, greet and 'suss' out a person. If you are even 60% keen on seeing someone again you should take a chance on them ~ as they may be the shy, reserved type. Speed Date is simple, effective and fun ~ you can keep going and going I'm sure until you get what you are looking for. You are in safe hands with Verity as she has a particular knack of ensuring that you stay in the 'Speed Date' loop until you are satisfied (read 'hooked-up'). 
If Speed Dating sounds too 'desperate' reframe it - 'young professionals networking evening' works just as well. Fantastic guys and girls are out there you just have to have faith, put your self out there and then have FUN. That is the key. Be fun and relaxed and you will find people - friends and even future husbands / wives.

Thanks again ~ such a cool concept and company ~ and you are such an on-to-it chick!

Naomi

Naomi                   Frans

29 years old          26 years old

E-commerce                  

Albany                   Albany

Just a note to say that I am still going out with one of the girls I met on a Speed Date night a year and a half ago - so the system does work!!

Suzanne and I both went to a speed date night in November 2007.
A friend had told me that there was a Speed Date event coming up and we both came to see what it was about.
My mate and I were a bit nervous at the beginning but it didn’t take much to get comfortable.  Suzanne also came with a friend.
I contacted Suzanne a couple days after the event and we met up for coffee. I asked her to see a movie at the end of that first date.
We are now living together and have traveled overseas China with more trips planned in the future.
We both really enjoyed the evening and would like to say thanks for organizing such a great event.

Jeremy

Jeremy                  Suzanne

29 years old          31 years old
Technical Sales

Jeremy and Suzanne met at Speed Date 21st November 2007

Melissa.... I knew the concept of Speed Dating, and thought the idea of multiple “dates”, in quick succession, was a great one, but of course it would depend on the caliber of men on the night.
So I googled “speeddating”, and found the speeddate.co.nz website.
Unfortunately the upcoming night in my age range was already full for females.
But I decided to email and ask if there was a waiting list, and if so, how many women were on it. I was the only one!

To my surprise I was contacted the next day to be invited to join, as there had been a cancellation.

On my night, there were several potential friends, but one guy grabbed my attention when we chatted.

To my delight, this was reciprocated when Jason contacted me later that same evening, after getting the “results” of our match.

Now six months on, we are living together!

So sometimes it does work J

Jason……. After attending a couple of Speed Date nights before, I was pretty ambivalent.  However on impulse I decided to give it another go.

Much to my surprise I found I had a connection with someone I met there – Mel

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Melissa                  Jason
39 years old          38 years old 

Marketing              Medical Profession    
              Henderson    
    
 Melissa & Jason met at Speed Date 3rd December 2008

At the end of last year my friend and I went along to speed dating for a bit of fun, had no expectations and thought why not...we've got nothing to lose.
I was fairly nervous at first, but once the speed dating process started (and with a bit of wine) I actually enjoyed it and the guys where a lot nicer than what I thought they where gonna be.
Anyway this is where I met my now partner Kevin.
For me it was my first speed date event and for Kevin it was his 2nd!
 
After dating for a few weeks and getting to know each other things progressed from there. We have now been together for nearly 5 months and things are going great.
So we definitely recommend speed dating to everyone, go along for fun and an open mind and you just never know who you may meet....It worked for us!

All the best and thanks again you're doing a great job and we totally recommend speed dating to others.

 Amanda

 Amanda                          Kevin
32 years old                    34 years old
Childcare                         I.T Consultant
Ponsonby                        Penrose

Amanda and Kevin met at Speed Date 29th October 2008

I have attended a couple of your speed date events, and in October last year decided to try the singles dinner in Mission Bay, it was at this dinner that I met a lady who I was very taken with. Despite using all my powers of persuasion I was unable to get her phone number, however I was very happy when she contacted me 3 days later!
I am very pleased to say that we have been an item ever since, we are living together and are looking forward to our first born expected in November this year!

Laetitia tells me that you were very supportive of her as she was hesitant coming by herself, lucky for me you convinced her to come!
 

So thank you for putting on such great events and for being so instrumental in helping me to find someone special.

Keep up the good work!

Mark

Mark                      Laetitia
36 years old          32 years old
Business Owner     I.T
West Auckland

 Mark and Laetitia met at the Spring Singles Dinner 4th October 2008

My friend and I wanted to try something new, so we attended a Speed Dating night.

I was a little nervous at first, but it turned out to be a great night!

As soon as I met Nick, I was so glad I had gone, as we clicked instantly.

It was the first time either of us had attended one of your events... it must have been karma!

We went on a date two days later and have been inseparable ever since.

Seven months on we are living together!

I have shared our story with many and have passed on your website details.

We have fun telling people how we met and they are shocked at our luck because we are so good together.

Thank you once again, and watch this space, as I am sure there is plenty more good news to come!

Philippa & Nick, Ponsonby J

Philippa                             Nick

25 years old                     29 years old

Import Supervisor            Account Manager

Philippa & Nick met at Speed Date 6th November 2008

You were very successful - or should I say, we were via your help! Due to your service - I met and am living with my partner.

I met Chris on my first Speed Date. He and I got together and found we were very well matched. In the days that followed our date we spoke often on the phone.

Since this time we have innumeral little clues to the fact that we were meant to meet. We are very very happy - and we intend to remain that way!

But it was your service that brought us together . And in so much, I have been meaning to tell you so for a very long time. Thank you Verity. You have been somewhat of a messenger in this world of Magnetic Energy. You should feel very blessed as we do in our having met thru you.

Glenda & Chris

I was a fairly typical just turned 40yr old single, with 2 small girls, when I met my now 32yr old Fiancée! I had been a member of speed-date for a year or so and enjoyed meeting both the men and women on the speed date nights. I had a small shopping list of expectations for my ideal man, but was also happily single again and a busy working Mum on top.

When I met Selwyn at a group dinner event I was very relaxed about the whole being single again thing and in no real hurry to find the right man. I found myself between 2 couples who turned their backs on me and started deep and meaningful conversations. I was stuck there between them with no one to talk to.

That's when I spotted Selwyn happily grinning away and in a similar position to me further down the table. We struck up conversation. I thought he looks really friendly and  someone I can at least have a good laugh with.

I got up and rearranged the table so we were sitting opposite each other!  Following that we exchanged the usual small talk, I discovered he was 8 yrs younger than me, relaxed even further, thinking well he won’t be interested in me then....
He heard all about my 2 little girls, I discovered he claimed to be a good cook (his best friend was sitting next door putting in lots of positive comments).  I thought OK cooking was on my list...

We went out for a drink after the dinner, swapped numbers...and it's history from there. Although I initially made him wait for a week before going out on a date, undecided about the whole age thing...we have now been together 18 months. He proposed a few months ago and we really couldn't be happier.

I'm still amazed to think not only did I find a man able to cope with me but also my 2 daughters. He’s a brilliant step dad to be and is more than an equal  parent with me, despite no previous experience. I'm glad I gave him a chance and wasn't put off by the age gap. It really has made no difference at all to us.

Thanks Verity for everything.

Liz
 

I had been seeing someone for 18 months (let's call him the floor guy) and found out (long story) that his profile was on an internet dating site and he was looking for someone.  Meanwhile, he was taking me out and telling me how wonderful I was. 
I hate to think how many girls he had been dating while seeing me!  Yuck, Yuck, Yuck!  Rather than hanging around until he found someone better and gave me the flick, I gave HIM the heave ho! 
Rather than sit around and feel not only sorry for myself but think the entire male population were jerks, I googled speed dating.

I wasn't looking for a relationship but saw it as an ideal situation to meet a whole lot of different people both male and female all of us with the same thing in common....being single.  I thought, was hoping, that I would make some new friendships.  Most, no, all of my friends were married and much as I love them, didn't fancy spending my weekends with them and their children. I could be wrong, but I think that's what made my speed dating experience successful, going in with an open mind, not a desperate one!
 
The big night arrived and I felt sick to my stomach!  Did I mention I am hopeless with small talk!!!   I grabbed a drink and quickly hid in a group of girls, smiled and laughed pretending to be part of a conversation.
 
Ding ding rang the bell and we were off.  I had a whole lot of questions prepared in my head to fill my 5 mins but they went out the window with guy number one, in fact, I never used one of them all night.  Talk about dead easy and fun!!  At times I thought 5 mins wasn't long enough!
 
Mmmm, guy number four came along and sat down.  Straight away, I knew he was the one.  Can't tell you why...but I just knew that we would end up together!  I do not, I repeat, DO NOT believe in love at first sight or any of that romantic stuff.  I'm a black and white girl though and through, which is why I cannot explain how I knew.
 
Chris said it was my smile and friendly personality that attracted him.  Personally, although he denies it, I think it was the low cut blouse.
 
Two years on and we live in a beautiful home and have a gorgeous wee boy, Hunter, who has just turned 6 months  (Chris's first child).
My daughter Paris (11) has the family she has always dreamed of and all four of us are very, very happy.
 
Bit mushy for me, but it's all true.  Maybe it's time to believe in romance.......
 

Jo
 

Rob and I met speed dating in November 2004.  We were both first timers.  My reason for going was to try and help the transition back into NZ a little easier after returning from my OE. Rob was there because he had a speed dating pamphlet shoved under his door by his flatmates.

We got off to a bit of a rough start, but after about 4 dates decided that we wanted to explore things further.  We became a couple four months after meeting, and moved in together a year later.

After dating for two years, we were in the south island for a friend's wedding.  One night we went for dinner at the restaurant on the top of the port hills in Christchurch, and on a whim, Rob proposed. (I later found out that he was originally intending to propose at Moeraki Boulders, but it was such a romantic evening he moved the proposal forward – a good move considering the tide was in, and it was raining when we got to the boulders!)

We were married in November 2007 and are very happy.
 
Fiona & Rob met at Speed Date 5th November 2004