Brighter Dates

Stephanie McGuffey, Co-founder of Brighter Dates, and her husband Justin

While online dating can be convenient, it’s not for everyone. Especially if you’d rather meet and get to know someone in-person versus behind a keyboard. That’s why Brighter Dates hosts events that bring local singles face-to-face to create in-person memories. No fake profiles, no outdated photos. Just people meeting people.

At each Brighter Dates event, you and everyone else who attends will be photographed, and your picture will be uploaded to your private profile. You then have 24 hours to login and select singles from the event who caught your attention.

“If your selections also choose you, your profiles will be available to each other, and you will have the opportunity to communicate with one another through our chat interface,” says Stephanie McGuffey, co-founder of Brighter Dates.

This event-driven dating service will host their first mixer at The Green Diamond Gallery on March 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Typically a members-only establishment, The Green Diamond Gallery houses the largest private collection of baseball memorabilia, and they will open their doors to Brighter Dates clients just a few days before Opening Day.

At “Cheers to Baseball,” guests will have the opportunity to meet new people while toasting to America’s favorite past time. Wine, local beer, and mini-desserts will be served for guests to enjoy, and a portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to The Character and Courage Foundation.

“Our mission is to help commitment-minded individuals find love in a relaxed and fun way,” says McGuffey. “We are excited to offer a proactive approach to dating that also supports the local community.” Each event will support a different charity and will offer a variety of activities to appeal to range of interests.

Coming up in April, the next event will be held at Coldstream Country Club from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will benefit Bake Me Home and will also feature a food demo by Dan Korman, owner of Park and Vine. “This event will certainly appeal to foodies as guests will have the opportunity to see a food demo by local chef, Colonel De Stewart,” says McGuffey. “Light appetizers, wine, beer, and Bake Me Home’s signature oatmeal chocolate chip cookies will be on hand for our guests’ enjoyment!”

Downstairs, Bake Me Home will be hosting their annual boutique, featuring local vendors such as Park and Vine, Truck Shop Mobile Boutique, and Hyde Park’s Nest. “A portion of proceeds from both our event and from sales at the Boutique will benefit Bake Me Home,” explains McGuffey, adding that they plan to host an event once a month, and will continue to update their event calendar as the year progresses.

“We give people the ability to meet in person first so they can determine whether or not they have a spark with other singles at the mixer,” say McGuffey. “Our unique website eliminates the pressure of exchanging contact information at the mixer. Client profiles are confidential, meaning each client is able to determine who has access to his or her profile after the mixer.”

For more information, visit www.brighterdates.com.