April 28, 2007. This is an old page and the information is probably outdated. At the moment I am not aware of any agencies that know their clients personally. If you are looking for a Russian bride, the best method is to spend several months in the country. If such is impossible, run several ads. Agencies went high-tech, which is sort of contrary to the nature of their business....  - pv

Some Moscow dating agencies I or my colleagues have taken our clients to, and were left with a good impression

(1) Dating agencies oriented to the local market

I explicitly recommend you stay away from large gatherings of women who are looking for a wealthy foreigner rather than a person in you. Wealth is good - but not as a foundation for a relationship. Nothing wrong in looking for your mate abroad - but doing too much of that may change you, and not for the better. Step off the path normally taken by your fellow Russian bride seekers. Socialize locally but avoid hangouts that attract western travellers or expats and Russian women. Run your personal ad in a local paper, eg. in www.izrukvruki.ru. With thoughts like this in mind I've compiled a list of Moscow agencies with women who are not specifically looking for someone to take them away from their problems.

All numbers are shown as dialed from within Moscow.

"Dialogue"
Metro Alexeyevskaya, near the National Exhibition grounds
Tel. 217-4034 or 517-7587

"Sokol"
Metro Sokol, Leningradsky prospekt, north end.
Tel. 151-0991 or 8-916-351-6710

My personal favourite "SVETLANA" Metro Prospekt Mira Prospekt Mira 56, 5th entrance, room 41 Tel. 775-0822 or 688-6165 Svetlana offers a healthy mix of technological sophistication and personal approach. Managers Natalia and Olga know a lot of their clients personally. The agency started as [do a short interview] and is now offering [......]. Their latest project is a separate database of about 500 women who "do not mind" marrying a foreigner, which is quite different for seeking to actively seeking marriage in order to leave the country.. See www.moscow-lady.com for their women who answered Yes to the question if they want their profiles seen by clients from abroad. I've been sending them western men in search of Russian brides for the last four years at least, and in many cases accompanying them myself in the capacity of a guide, an interpreter, and an all-around consultant. From the agency's point of view you will thus not be an off the street client, with all the privileges that entails in Russia where the mere fact that you are a paying client will not necessarily get you service. [link to a page on what it takes to get good service in Russia on www.staritsa.info ] The cost of unlimited six month access to their database plus all the required support is 4000 roubles ($140). Translators are available. I'll try to talk them into adding "do you speak English" to their questionnaire.

"Impulse"
Metro Mayakovskaya
2-ya Tverskaya-Yamskaya 18, The Museum of Russian Harmonica, Room 520
Tel. 251-4739 or 251-4941

(2) Dating agencies in Moscow that cater to Western men and foreigner-seeking Russian women

Again, here are Moscow agencies that are small enough for the operators to know their women. Also note Tver Romance (see www.staritsa.info/tver.htm ) and Vovchik's famous database of Ryazan women of his acquaintance (www.staritsa.info/ryazan.htm).

"Altair"
3-ya Yamskogo Polya 14/16
Tel. 781-2228 or 542-7996

"Doveriye"
Metro Kurskaya
Tel. 262-5021 or 262-7821
Note: Doveriye is the partner of Elena's Models

Olesya (www.russiangirlfriday.com) tends to take her clients there I believe.  I most strongly advocate that you avoid the Russian women / Western men scene.

Need assistance? Write me to paul_voytinsky@yahoo.com