Do Mail-Order Marriages Still Exist? Reality of Cross-Cultural Dating in the Modern Age

Patty Rose
7 min readJun 20, 2024

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Have you ever wondered are mail order brides real? What are they and do mail order marriages still exist today? The answers may surprise you! In this article, I’ll take you on a journey through the history of overseas marriage, how it works in modern times, the reasons people choose it, true love stories, and eye-opening facts. Keep reading to learn the secrets of international romance!

Do Mail-Order Marriages Still Exist?

History of mail order brides and how did the evolve

Mail-order marriage might seem like a modern trend, but a mail order bride concept actually has a long history dating back to the 1800s in the United States. During the westward expansion, many men ventured to the frontier to work as ranchers, farmers, and miners. However, there was a severe shortage of single women in these rural and often isolated areas. As a result, the men found themselves lonely and yearning for companionship.

To solve this problem, they began placing advertisements in newspapers that circulated in the Eastern states, seeking women who were willing to move west and become their wives. Interested women, so-called picture brides, would respond by writing letters and sending more photographs of themselves. If a couple felt a connection through their correspondence, they would usually arrange to meet in person, and if all went well, they would get married shortly after.

Thus, is mail order bride a real thing? Yes, as this practice allowed thousands of men and women to find spouses and start families on the frontier. Are there still mail order brides? Discover in the next section.

Mail order brides in modern reality

You might be thinking, that was then but what about now? Are mail order brides still a thing? The answer is yes! The big difference is that now people use the internet instead of newspapers to meet. International dating sites connect singles from different countries for love and marriage.

Here are some popular websites where do mail order brides still exist:

SofiaDate is a site where American and European men can meet beautiful women mostly from Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, mostly aged 25–35. There are 15 filters for Slavic woman unique search. Members exchange romantic messages, videos, and photos via Live chat and mail. Single men can watch video introductions in ladies’ profiles. SofiaDate helps members meet each other in real life and organizes dates. The cost of a package on SofiaDate starts at $2,99, plus, you’ll get 20 free credits when you sign up. Many couples have gotten married after falling in love with SofiaDate.

SakuraDate matches Western men with Chinese, Japanese, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnamese women aged 18–44 for dating and marriage. Mail order brides real and well-structured profiles contain lots of free photos and exhaustive descriptions of their owners. Members can also seek each other via numerous filters or Swiping, communicate via instant messenger, mail, and exchange photos, audio, and videos. There are extra features, like Winks, stickers, and templates. 35 credits for newcomers cost $2.99. SakuraDate has helped make many international love stories come true.

TheLuckyDate is a global site with a top-notch matching system where men can connect with women from Asia, Latin America, and Europe of different ages, cultures, and relationship goals. Are mail order spouses real on TheLuckyDate? Definitely, because they prefer profile videos instead of main photos. The platform offers a convenient instant messenger, sending media that disappear, template conversation starters, Likes, Favorites, and virtual gifts. There are 2,000 welcome credits for newbies in case you want to have a testing period. The website has led to countless happy cross-cultural marriages.

Furthermore, mail order spouses are legal in the US, Canada, Australia, European, Latin American, and Asian countries because of various immigration laws and processes, such as the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provide protection and support for foreign spouses.

What are the motivations behind mail-order marriages?

In my years of experience working with international couples, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with countless singles about their reasons for seeking a partner abroad. Through these intimate conversations and my own observations, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the motivations behind mail order marriages.

Man with mail order bride

So, what makes a man want to find a bride from another country?

Often it is because:

  • He wants a traditional wife who shares his values
  • He is tired of heartbreaking stories and high divorce rates at home
  • He finds foreign women especially beautiful and feminine
  • He believes women from other cultures make more loyal partners
  • He thinks an overseas bride will appreciate him more
  • He has a big attraction to a particular country, culture, and appearance

And why do ladies sign up as mail order brides?

Usually, it is because:

  • She dreams of a loving husband and better life opportunities
  • She is deeply fascinated by males of a particular nationality
  • She wants to escape difficult circumstances in her home country
  • She is excited to experience a new culture and travel
  • She hopes to meet a man who is ready for a serious relationship

As I’ve witnessed through my work, the motivations behind mail order marriages are complex and varied, reflecting the unique hopes, fears, and desires of each individual seeking love across borders.

Success Stories

Pau & lHiroko

Hiroko, a shy Japanese office worker, never imagined she’d find love online until she met Paul, an American English teacher, on SakuraDate. They connected deeply through their daily messages, sharing their dreams, worries, and favorite anime series. When Paul visited Hiroko in Tokyo, he won over her family with his attempt at making sushi. They’re now living together in Japan and considering a future marriage.

David & Iryna

David, a Canadian entrepreneur crossed paths with Irina, a stunning Ukrainian dancer on SofiaDate. They bonded over their shared passion for art and adventure. After months of exchanging heartfelt letters and photos, David flew to Kyiv to meet Iryna. Sparks flew, and they spent a whirlwind week exploring the city together. Now, they’re engaged and planning a life together in Toronto.

Juliana & Greg

Juliana, a lively Brazilian student, thought she’d just make some foreign friends on LatiDate. But when she started chatting with Greg, a British backpacker, she felt an instant connection. They spent countless hours sharing photos and voice messages, dreaming of adventures they’d take together. Greg ended up extending his stay in Brazil, and they had a passionate summer romance they decided to continue.

Katya & Liam

Katya signed up for TheLuckyDate and noticed Liam’s charming profile. He seemed different from the local men. Their chemistry grew with each flirty message and video exchange. Liam visited Katya in Poland and she gave him a city tour. By the end of the trip, they knew they were meant to be. Katya joined Liam in America and they’re living together.

Josh & Mei

Josh and Mei were skeptical about online dating until they met on NaomiDate. Josh adored Mei’s modest nature, brains, and customs. He asked her to be his girlfriend. Despite the distance, they made their relationship work, visiting each other’s countries and learning each other’s languages. They had a lovely Chinese wedding and cherish their SakuraDate love story.

Mail order marriages statistics

Still doubting are mail order brides a real thing? The official statistics best prove that it is real! International dating and marriage have been growing steadily over the past few decades, thanks in large part to the rise of online dating platforms. Here are some compelling numbers I collected that demonstrate the reality and popularity of mail order marriages:

  • 17% of marriages in the US are between American men and foreign-born women. This figure highlights the significant portion of marriages in the United States that involve international couples, many of whom met through mail order bride services.
  • The international marriage broker industry generates over $2 billion in revenue annually. This staggering amount reflects the high demand for mail order bride services and the willingness of men to invest in finding a foreign spouse.
  • Approximately 20,000 K-1 visas are issued to foreign brides each year (86% of the approval rate). The K-1 visa allows foreign fiancés of US citizens to enter the country to get married in 90 days.
  • By 2028, an estimated 452 mln singles will seek love through online platforms.
  • Ukraine is in the top 25 countries receiving the most U.S. immigration visas. Many of my readers found their happiness with partners from Ukraine and other Eastern European countries.
  • The acceptance of interracial marriage in the United States has reached an all-time high of 94%.
  • Statistics highlight the growing trend of international marriages and the increasing cultural diversity in various countries.

Based on my experience in the international dating industry and current trends, I’ve observed popular mail order brides countries that receive the most US immigrant visas and have women favored with Western grooms.

  • Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic. Many men seek wives in Eastern Europe because women are often valued for their focus on family and are known for their well-groomed looks and intelligence.
  • Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam. Ladies from these nations are often praised for being family-oriented and dedicated to their children. Some men also find their small and delicate figures appealing.
  • Colombia, Brazil, Mexico. Brides from these regions are celebrated for their energy, passion, and skills in cooking and home care. Their diverse cultural roots are a big draw for many men.

Mail order marriages have come a long way from frontier newspapers to modern dating sites, but one thing remains the same — they help love cross oceans and borders. Despite some skepticism, more and more people still find their spouse this way. The success stories and statistics paint a clear picture that do mail order brides exist and this path will likely be one of the dominant ways of finding a significant other in the future.

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