save~the~date(ing)

Posted by Carolyn

on June 12, 2009

Hattie Elliott is one of those girls that all the guys love and all the girls want to be friends with. She’s personable, energetic, gorgeous, and a young New York professional with an enviable network of really cool people that she calls her friends. Luckily for other New York singles, Hattie brings all her single friends and all of their friends together at monthly events she plans for her company save the date(ing). Any of you gals or guys that have ever asked your friend to “hook you up” with their single friends will realize how genius this concept is. Hattie also interviews and vets every person that joins so you’re pretty much guaranteed not to meet a creep.

A few weeks ago, I attended an event that Hattie put together- an etiquette dinner at Marc Forgione restaurant in New York City. I had tried to recruit a friend to come along, but since she had already committed to another party, I had to brave it alone. I go to events roughly four nights a week but a) there’s about 20% guys at any given event and b) among the 20%, 90% are gay. But that night I knew I’d be in the close proximity of a lot of single, straight, good looking men and trust me, I was nervous! Not to mention, it was just me vs. the cruel dating world!

Luckily, I had Hattie on my side. My nerves went away within just a few minutes thanks to fun people I met right off the bat. Unlike social events where you are just expected to “mingle” (and crash conversations other people are having? awkward), save the date(ing) events are structured in such a way that makes everyone hang out with people they don’t know rather than their friends. Seating arrangements are done guy-girl and the activity at hand encourages conversation other than small talk. And rather than talking about the weather, your go-to default line when you just have nothing else to say is “So..how do you know Hattie?” Works every time.

save the date(ing) isn’t just about meeting guys- it’s also a networking opportunity and a fun, stress free way to meet new friends. I had a great time chatting with the cute guys that evening but also met a fun, new girlfriend that I’m having coffee with next week. Hattie says that her success stories aren’t just about people coupling off- but also finding new business partners, roommates, and fun people to hang out with.

save the date(ing) is already a successful venture in New York City and Hattie plans to take the business to LA next (July 8th). After she’s conquered arguably, the two toughest dating markets in the country, we’re pretty sure inevitable world domination is next on the agenda.

For more info, check out savethedateing.com.

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