Finding love online during the coronavirus pandemic - FOX13 Memphis

Finding love online during the coronavirus pandemic - FOX13 Memphis
Virtual dating and happy hours are the 'new normal' for singles - CBS News 8
Local couple ties the knot, postpones wedding celebration - WIFR
Bored indoors? Tune in to CarpeDM and District IRL's new virtual dating show - Technical.ly

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 06:57 PM PDT

"What we find is there is actually an uptick in the number of people who are on social media," Tartt said. "Here is what I hear from my clients. Many of them are female and say they have gotten a better quality of man on the dating app because they are men that are used to working, that this was not a priority or they had enough options with the bars, gyms and activities."

Virtual dating and happy hours are the 'new normal' for singles - CBS News 8

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 03:41 PM PDT

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Social Distancing doesn't mean disconnecting socially.

Thanks to technology, you can follow the governor's order to stay at home and still have a romantic date.

In this Zevely Zone, Jeff investigates a virtual dating organized through FaceTime dates.

The List

"Virtual Dating is the new thing these days," said Constance Curtis, Founder & CEO of The List.

Constance said even if you've shut the front door to your house, you can still open your heart to love.

"I think at first not everyone was open to the idea of virtual dating, but we just don't know what is going to happen in the next few weeks. There are so many single people all throughout California that are feeling really isolated and alone right now," said Constance.

The List

Even though the governor has ordered people to stay home, you can still go out on an online date.

"I think it is very important to remember that social distancing does not mean you have to socially disconnect from everybody," said Constance.

She sent videos of singles getting dressed up and pouring wine for one-on-one candlelight dinners.

"And we are also doing virtually happy hours, so we are getting a group of ten people together who are all single and we are all going to get online and have a cocktail. If you don't drink, have a tea or water and chat and get to know each other," said Constance.

To avoid awkward silence, The List suggests printing out 36 questions in advance to spark conversation.

"Yeah, so one of the questions is if you could invite anyone in the world to dinner who would it be?" said Constance.

Constance Curtis can't go out, so she is going on virtual dates

The List

Hand holding and hugging may have to wait, but not romance, even Constance herself is looking for love.

"I actually went on my first virtual date last week and we played 36 questions in love and it was a blast it was an absolute blast," said Constance.

She and her date Mathew spoke for two hours into the night.

I asked, "Did that date end with a virtual kiss?" Constance laughed and said, "It may have ended with a virtual kiss. We are having our second date this weekend."

When you go on a virtual one-on-one date with The List, you either have to be a paying member or be set up with one of their paying members.

But, if you'd like to sign up for the free virtual happy hour for singles, go to https://getthelistapp.com/ and you'll be added to The List.

Local couple ties the knot, postpones wedding celebration - WIFR

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 03:59 PM PDT

ROCKFORD, Ill (WIFR) -- One local couple is making lemonade out of lemons after they decided to postpone their wedding celebration.

Paulsons tie the knot

"Jeff and I had been dating for five years," says Shelly Paulson. Jeff proposed a year ago, but Shelly was taking care of her mother, who had cancer. She says she could not plan a wedding at that time.

"Unfortunately my mom passed in August," Shelly explained. "And before she passed she talked to both Jeff and I and said wherever you decided to get married you just take a yellow rose with you and know that I am with you."

So with smiles ear-to-ear and the yellow rose in hand, Shelly and Jeff tied the knot at the courthouse on March 27. However, that was far from the original plan.

The two planned on having the ceremony in Jamaica April 24 with 20 of their closest relatives and friends. Yet in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, plans quickly changed.

Shelly says they knew the right decision was to postpone the group gathering, although it wasn't easy. "A marriage is about two people getting married," she says. "The celebration can wait."

While the April ceremony is canceled, it brought about travel issues for some guests who did not have travel insurance. "The people who did not have travel insurance were able to get a refund minus a $250 penalty," says Paulson.

Travel agents stress the importance of insurance now more than ever.

"Take the trip insurance, which I think is a very good idea, then at least they can get their money back," says Veronika Markgraf of Vacations by Veronika. "And that's kind of across the board just in general for people traveling."

Markgraf says travel insurance usually costs around $100 per person, but it can pay off in the end. "I've seen people lose all their money."

She says for most agencies you can get travel insurance up until the time you leave, however it must be bought within two weeks of booking. She also says many agencies won't cover the cost of fear.

"They're not going to cover coronavirus, they don't cover for fear of cancelation," she explains. "But now I have to say with Apple Vacations their insurance you can cancel for any reason. You do have to take it at the time of booking or within 24 hours of booking."

Bored indoors? Tune in to CarpeDM and District IRL's new virtual dating show - Technical.ly

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 03:45 AM PDT

Just in time for shelter-in-place orders, D.C.-based startups CarpeDM and District IRL are teaming up to launch a virtual dating experience called LoveCast.

Launched in 2018, CarpeDM is the developer of a dating app that requires people who match to indulge in a five- to 10-minute video chat before continuing their relationship via text. Newly launched District IRL is a digital media and marketing company connecting people through in-person and virtual experiences.

"The teams behind CarpeDM and District IRL met last year during DC Startup Week," CarpeDM CMO Sali Hama told Technical.ly. "Now more than ever, we know the importance of building social bonds and curating experiences that help us all feel more connected."

Unlike traditional dating shows, LoveCast will be an interactive experience with audience participation. Audience members will have a chance to vote and pair couples together before watching their first date online. The show had an open call for applications for casting until March 28 and Hama said that just under 100 people applied. There were 20 finalists selected and official cast members will be announced on March 31, when voting for couples will begin.

The inaugural live episode will air virtually on April 5 at 8 p.m.

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During the one-hour live event, audience members will be able to comment and ask the cast questions to help guide them to a decision to either stay matched or not. Ganesh Sarma and Austin Hannah, two hosts from the "Amazon Book Club" podcast, will host LoveCast.

"LoveCast is designed to be a positive, interactive social experience; one that allows viewers to engage with the cast members and feel like they are a part of their journey," Hama said. "The audience will get to watch the couple's go on their first video date."

There will be five couples featured on the first episode, while future episodes will include a mix of new and returning couples, Hama explained. Returning couples will include ones voted on by viewers as the audience choice winners.

"We will continue to incorporate partnerships with local businesses designed to enhance the virtual social experience on each episode, bringing our Cast and viewers as close to meeting in real life as possible in this challenging time," Hama said.

To aid in COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts, LoveCast will have a virtual tip jar for special guest hosts to help support local artists and businesses. The show is also partnering with Hook Hall Helps for the inaugural episode and is asking for donations to go directly to the Park View-based tavern and event space.

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