The Court: Redefining How D.C. Finds Love

NATIONWIDE - NOVEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) It started as a conversation between two lifelong friends, reflecting on the state of dating in Washington, D.C. What happened to meeting people in real life? Why did connection start to feel like a chore, a task buried under the fatigue of endless swipes and ghosted conversations? From that moment of recognition, The Court was born a fresh, human-centered matchmaking service designed by co-founders Molly Dresner and Ali Deckelbaum to help singles rediscover the joy of real, in-person connection.

In a city where ambition runs high and schedules are packed tight, The Court offers something rare: a return to intentional dating. It’s not just another matchmaking service. It’s a full-circle reinvention of how people meet, communicate, and fall in love in the nation’s capital.

A Match Made in D.C.

Both Dresner and Deckelbaum are fourth-generation Washingtonians who understand the city’s pulse better than anyone. They grew up in Montgomery County in the 1990s, long before dating apps and social media redefined modern relationships. “We met our husbands the old-fashioned way,” they share, Ali through a blind date arranged by family friends, and Molly at a D.C. bar through mutual connections.

That personal history, and their deep-rooted community ties, form the foundation of The Court’s mission. As childhood best friends turned co-founders, they saw firsthand how the city’s dating culture had shifted. D.C. consistently ranks among the hardest cities in America to find love, with nearly 70% of its population single and over half of those singles expressing frustration with flakiness and lack of commitment.

Ali’s natural matchmaking ability, cultivated through years of connecting people in her social circles, combined perfectly with Molly’s background as a speech therapist. Molly spent years helping adults express their needs more effectively, observing how digital dating had eroded communication skills. Together, they decided to merge their talents to build something that could change how people experience dating altogether.

From Apps to Authenticity

At its core, The Court was designed as a response to dating app burnout. “People are ready to stop dating remotely,” the founders say. “Most singles in the DMV are busy overachievers. The last thing they need is to feel like their dating life is another job.”

The Court replaces endless scrolling with genuine matchmaking rooted in personalization, accountability, and face-to-face connection. Every client begins with an in-depth consultation that uncovers their values, relationship goals, and non-negotiables, the essential traits that define true compatibility.

Unlike traditional matchmakers, who often charge hefty upfront fees, The Court takes a pay-to-play approach. Clients only pay when presented with a compatible match who meets their criteria. This creates a level playing field where both parties have equal investment in the process. “Everyone we match is a paying client,” Molly explains. “That means equal commitment, equal accountability, and real follow-through.”

A Smarter Way to Date

The Court’s methodology reads like the modern dating rulebook everyone wishes existed:

The 24-Hour Rule: Matches must respond within a day, keeping the energy alive and ensuring momentum doesn’t fade.

Focused Communication: Pre-date conversations are limited to logistics, saving meaningful connection for in-person interaction.

Ghosting Prevention: Built-in accountability means everyone shows up, not just physically, but emotionally. If a client fails to attend a date, they reimburse the other person’s matching fee.

Coaching and Care: Beyond matchmaking, The Court acts as a support system. Dresner and Deckelbaum provide pre-date pep talks, post-date recaps, and even help navigate breakups with empathy and grace. “We meet each client where they are,” they say. “Whether it’s building confidence before a date or mediating a sensitive conversation, we’re there every step of the way.”

This hands-on, human touch distinguishes The Court from both app-based dating and traditional matchmaking. It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality, chemistry, and mutual alignment.

Dating in the District

Dating in Washington, D.C. comes with its own unique challenges. With a highly educated population, over 50% of singles hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and a culture shaped by politics and ambition, many residents bring rigid filters to dating. The Court helps clients look beyond surface-level traits and political alignment, focusing instead on shared values and emotional compatibility.

“People often say they want someone tall, successful, and funny,” Ali explains. “But what really matters is how you want to feel in a relationship, safe, excited, supported, understood. That’s where real connection begins.”

Their approach has struck a chord across the DMV, where singles are hungry for authenticity. Since launching, The Court has grown month over month, fueled almost entirely by word of mouth. Their feature in Washingtonian’s Ultimate Guide on How to Date in D.C. cemented their position as a local authority on intentional dating.

Building the Future of Matchmaking

For Molly and Ali, success isn’t measured in numbers, it’s measured in connection. Their commitment to super-serving clients remains at the heart of their growth strategy. They cater to every client’s comfort level, from those seeking a slow introduction to others eager for a “bigger hunt.”

With transparency, fairness, and compassion as their guiding principles, The Court is redefining what it means to be a matchmaker in the modern era. Their goal is bold yet simple: to become the most successful path to finding love in D.C.

And as they continue to expand their client base while maintaining the same level of care, one thing is clear: dating in the DMV will never be the same.

Step Onto The Court

In a city built on ambition and achievement, The Court reminds Washingtonians that love deserves the same focus and intention. It’s time to stop swiping and start showing up, for yourself, for connection, for something real.

To learn more or apply to become a client, visit thecourtmatchmaker.com. Follow The Court on Instagram.

The Court is redefining the rules of dating in D.C., because finding love should feel effortless, not exhausting.