Matchmaker Geeta Khanna's Playbook For Finding Love In The Digital Age

In a world dominated by swipes and algorithms, the art of matchmaking is far from obsolete. If you think matchmakers are a thing of the past, think again! While dating apps are all the rage, there’s still something special about the human touch in finding love.

Meet Geeta Khanna, the dynamic matchmaker and founder of Cocktail Matches. Since she launched her business in Delhi in 2008, Geeta has observed that more young adults prefer meeting organically, with parents taking a step back from the process.

Despite this shift, she believes a strong market for matchmade relationships exists. Her success speaks for itself: she has arranged over 100 marriages. With a talent for understanding relationship dynamics, Geeta brings a fresh and fun approach to matchmaking. Her boutique service, Cocktail Matches, combines personal insights with modern technology. Geeta's mission? To help you find your perfect match, one curated connection at a time. In our chat, she spills the tea on shaking up the dating scene and making love happen in the age of apps.

From psychology to matchmaking

Geeta’s journey into matchmaking was somewhat serendipitous. “I just fell into it after I moved back to India in 2008,” she recalls. “A dear friend recommended I look into it, and before I could really look into it, I was in business.”

Geeta knew she was onto something when she casually mentioned her new business at a social lunch, and the phone didn’t stop ringing afterwards. “I realised there was a market that was not being rightly tapped,” she says. This pivotal moment reaffirmed her choice to pursue matchmaking and highlighted the demand for personalized matchmaking services. Initially, her background in psychology didn’t play a significant role, but she soon realized that her counselling skills, influenced by her psychology training, were invaluable. “My psychology background didn’t influence me at first, but I realized my counselling skills had a touch of it,” she explains.

The process…

Geeta’s matchmaking process is thorough and personalised. It starts with meeting the prospective family and the individual looking to marry to establish a comfort level. “Understanding what each other is saying and listening attentively is crucial,” she notes. The process can be long or short, depending on the client’s willingness to meet and make decisions.

A common challenge faced is the mindset of constantly searching for a better deal, which Geeta addresses through counselling and setting realistic expectations. Tailoring her approach to match the unique needs and personalities of her clients is a skill she has developed over time, guided by her strong intuition. Managing clients’ anxieties and fears requires patience, empathy, and a genuine love for what she does. “You have to be a good listener and very empathetic to their anxieties,” she emphasises.

Common challenges in matchmaking include clients with a closed mind, extensive checklists, and rigid criteria for their ideal partner. “Counseling either works or not,” Geeta says simply. She knows when she’s “banging her head against a wall” and when it’s time to step away. Her counselling delves deep into the clients’ minds, helping them see their partner’s point of view objectively.

Dating apps: Yay or Nay?

While Geeta is not fluent with technology or dating apps, she acknowledges their rightful place in the matchmaking process. Her approach integrates the personal touch of traditional matchmaking with the convenience and reach of modern technology, creating a balanced and effective method for finding love.

Keys to long-lasting love…

Every match is a success in Geeta’s eyes, even if it doesn’t end in marriage. “If it does not end in two people being matched, they go away understanding the nature of relationships much better,” she says. This understanding helps them make better choices in the future. She stays in touch with the families and couples she has matched, offering relationship counselling even after marriage.

Her advice for couples to maintain a healthy and lasting relationship is simple yet profound: “An ocean of compassion with an equally healthy dose of passion.” She believes in leading by example, drawing from her own marriage of 43 years to guide her clients. Geeta recommends young individuals consider seeking the help of a matchmaker or relationship counsellor when they feel stuck or overwhelmed by the dating process. Her approach offers a blend of empathy, intuition, and professional counselling, making the journey to finding love a supportive and insightful experience.

As we navigate the exciting and sometimes overwhelming world of modern dating, it’s clear that a touch of traditional matchmaking magic can go a long way. So, whether you're swiping right or seeking bespoke matchmaking, remember that the heart knows best, and sometimes, it just needs a little expert guidance aka a real-life cupid to find its perfect match!