Full Guide to Using Mail Order Brides Services

If you've considered online dating, you may have come across international sites that advertise mail order brides. Despite any confusion this term may cause, mail order brides services are legitimate dating platforms — but they operate a bit differently from the majority of mainstream sites. The first and the most important difference is that brides websites focus on family creation — or, at the very least, on long-term relationships. And, such platforms cater to heterosexual matches, so there is one more detail you'll have to keep in mind.

As for the rest, mail order brides platforms are pretty similar to most other dating sites out there. They have profile verification, pics, search and match-making algorithms, letters and live chats, and plenty of other interactive features available on most mainstream dating platforms. Of course, the actual details will differ depending on each particular service. Still, it's possible to point out several tips on using most marriage platforms out there, and offer some info as to what you can expect from ladies who register as mail order brides.

Mail order brides: who they are and why they join?

This is probably the most important question any single gentlemen would like to define. Besides, mail order brides — especially those coming from developing countries — face a fair share of different stereotypes. Some men imagine them as destitute women who would do anything to get rid of their poor economic conditions and oppressive regimes. Of course, such a myth could not be entirely true. While many brides would like to have a taste of a better life and more secure living conditions, financial matters are not their primary concern.

You may not realize that many Asian countries still have a tradition of pre-arranged marriages. Some European states, on the other hand, still have their male-female ratios unevenly skewed after the devastation the WWII has brought. Some other ladies are working full-time jobs and simply do not have that much time for traditional dating. Others are disappointed in the local men, for a variety of reasons. Women from Latin America, for example, have some general idea of societies where machismo is not a part of social lifestyle and want to find partners who would not treat them as commodities.

As you can see, the reasons for joining a mail order brides site are plenty, and they mostly depend on the region in question. Still, since all of these women are looking for a husband, it's safe to assume that these ladies have highly traditional mindsets. So, they would rather invest their effort into building a happy family than focus on careers or luxurious lifestyles. So, an average mail order bride is the kind of woman any family-centered man will come to love and appreciate. These ladies gladly take care of the household chores, dream of having children, and hope to find a good man who would support them — not necessarily financially, but mostly emotionally. In turn, they are determined to give such a man all love and affection he deserves. So, if you are hoping to start a nuclear family with someone who shares your views on the traditional relationship, mail order brides may be your best shot at happiness.

Top regions to search for mail order brides

Mail order brides services are available worldwide, and you can also find platforms that operate within one country exclusively. While such an approach narrows down your search options and often boosts your chances of finding a great match, we do understand that focusing on just one country is not always possible. After all, you cannot randomly pick a location and start searching for a wife - especially when you know little about most foreign countries and their cultural traditions.

The good news is that single gentlemen could go for larger networks that operate within entire regions and continents. The most popular locations would be Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe (in particular, Slavic countries). This way, single men can cast a wider net, exploring several countries at once and meeting a variety of women from multiple backgrounds. Later on, should you feel the need, you can switch to a platform that operates in one particular country — if you think it's worth the trouble and if you decide this one country has the best brides selection ever.

As for the most popular regions, here is what you can expect from potential brides in each of these destinations:

• Latin America: you probably can imagine an average Latino woman and her outstanding beauty. On top of their seductive looks, these ladies also have the most easy-going and the most energetic personalities. They are hard workers and excellent homemakers; they dote on children and would probably want at least two kids. They also come from tough economic conditions and would not expect any luxury in life. For them, a small house, a couple of kids and —most importantly — a faithful husband is already a dream come true. In return, they will make the most exciting of life partners, focusing on the positive side of things and working hard to achieve your common family goals.
• Asia: this continent is so vast that it's barely possible to describe an average Asian woman. If however, we would try to give at least some generalized insight, we'd say that Asian women are, first of all, respectful and obedient. Most of them grow up in cultures where men have a say in all important matters, while a woman's duty is following their husbands and fathers (if they are still single). Asian women will not have the vibrant and easy-going personalities of Latino women. On the other hand, they will be quiet and reserved. It's next to impossible to imagine a fight with an Asian woman — even if she disagrees with you, she will try to convey her opinions as mildly as it is technically possible. 

• Eastern Europe: this a great destination for a man who does not want too much exotic in life. Most Eastern European countries have pretty westernized mindsets; so, it should not be difficult to come to terms with an Eastern European woman. These ladies have excellent education and impressive careers. On the other hand, traditions play a major role in Europe, and most women will not be considered 'fulfilled' until they have families of their own. Such a stereotype makes Eastern European ladies excellent wives and mothers — because since their early childhoods, they've been psychologically prepared for this part. At the same, Europeans are used to gender equality and will not tolerate neglect from their husbands. So, if you are looking for a wife who will run your house but still be an equal partner in all important matters, Europe is the ultimate destination for you.

What features should a reliable dating site offer?

Another important question you will want answered before you join any dating platform, no matter where it works. Even though different dating sites will offer their clients different perks, there are at least five criteria that make a mail order brides service worth your time and money. No matter how details may differ, the following aspects are an absolute must for a reliable marriage agency.

Free sign up and profile preview

The days when clients had to pay just to register with the service are long gone. Today, you should not be charged a dime if all you want to do is sign up. So, make use of this opportunity to take a good look around — apart from free sign up, a reputable service should offer a free preview of its goods — that is, a look at the brides' selection. Once you're there, pay attention to the quality of profiles. You may, of course, be distracted by some fabulous looking pics, because most agencies supply their brides with a professional photo shoot when they join. Still, keep focused and look beyond the pictures — what are these women writing about themselves? Can you see a real person behind these text fields? If you can, and if most profiles you see are pretty detailed, the platform is probably worth your trust.

User verification and anti-fraud protection

It's not always easy to determine this one, because not every platform will have a 'verified' badge next to the profile pic. This, however, does not always mean no one is verifying brides' identities — quite on the contrary, it may mean every profile is verified. So, read through the site's terms and conditions page to see what they have to say about user identities and anti-fraud policies. Quite often, a large dating network will operate with the help of local divisions — and those are, generally, the best sites you can go for. They talk to all eligible ladies on the spot, screen their identities in person, and check their marital status before brides are allowed to join the platform. However, verifying user IDs online is also an option.

Flexible payment options

Other important criteria you will need to consider are payment options. Usually, reliable service will offer several of those — from credit cards to e-wallet transfers. As for the actual billing logic, it may differ from one site to another. Some platforms, for example, offer trial periods and others do not. Some charge clients a fixed subscription, while others bill men for every letter sent and every minute of live chat they've used. There is even an in-between subscription plan where men pay a fixed, monthly price for communicating with the ladies (usually, around 20-30$), but can order extra perks, like gift delivery or private browsing, for extra credits (or extra cash).

Absolutely all of the above payment plans are legitimate, so you should choose billing logic that appeals to you, personally. We would recommend going with a fixed subscription when you join because it implies sending and reading unlimited messages. So, it's more than enough to establish an initial connection with some of the ladies. As for extra perks, like delivering flowers or having your messages translated, you can order them later — if you need to.

A vast range of communications means

When trying to figure out the best billing logic, you should also consider which communication means work best for you. Most of the time, a platform that has been around for some time will offer a variety of options — from emails and video chats to direct phone calls from anonymous numbers (for security reasons, user contacts remain private until users choose to disclose them). Still, you may not be comfortable with live calls, so you might want to register with the service that focuses on emails (and does not charge a lot for them).

Travel arrangements & legal help with marriage permits

A very important aspect that is not included in the subscription cost. So, should it come to it, you will always be charged separately. But, you should still find out if the agency can offer travel arrangements. You may think that your far-away match could take care of those — and she, indeed, may. But what if you plan to visit several ladies in one country? You cannot take such an option off the counts because there is absolutely no way of telling if there is chemistry between you two until you meet in person. So, more than often, a single gentleman visits several brides within one country and only then makes any decisions about getting married.

Speaking of getting married, a professional mail order brides site will also assist with any paperwork you may need. Once again, the costs and details will differ depending on your bride's country of origin. However, it's good to know you have some legal marriage experts on your side, so you won't have to fill in all the visa paperwork independently.

These are the primary things you need to know about mail order brides and international marriage platforms. Now, you should choose a platform that meets the above quality criteria and start chatting with beautiful women. Take your time looking for the best match — usually, most men find their perfect mail order bride within a year.