I'm going to answer these, but in a different order....
1. It is harder for women in their 30s to find someone, than women in their 20s. But while that is true, it is much much harder in your 40s than 30s.
A man age 40, will look for a wife 10 years younger. It's a fact. By the time a woman is 40, she'll start getting hit on by men in their 60s. True story.
This is why often women that are later in life, will sometimes just stay single, because they can't stand the idea of marrying a much older man.
I think that is ridiculous because I've met couples where the woman was 15 years younger, than they had a
fantastic marriage.
2. That said, you should find someone closer to your age if possible.
The answer is yes, there are men who will look for marriage in that age bracket. The key is, they will be harder to find.
The men who are looking for marriage, are getting married. This is another reason women should look for a spouse, sooner rather than later. The pool starts to thin out pretty quick over time. Good guys... get married. They are not waiting around.
That does not mean the pool is empty. It just means that the ratio of good-apples to bad-apples, is getting closer to 1:1.
You start getting into the 30s and 40s, and the guys still single at that age are often single for a reason. They are messed up in the head, have terrible character, or they have determined to stay single.
Fascinating fact... statically 50% of all men who are still single by age 35, will stay single for life.
Again, you can find someone... but I'm not going to white wash this, and say it will be a walk in the park... you might be hunting for awhile. And you might find a bunch of bad eggs. You'll just have to accept that some of your dates will be bad, and move on.
3. How can you tell if guys are interested?
Well this is one of the odd things in life, that it is easier to find a spouse when you are younger. Younger men are less capable (read less mentally mature enough) of hiding their interest.
That said, it is also possible that you are not giving any signals off.
I'm going to clue you in on the dirty little secret of all men.... the vast majority of us are cowards when it comes to women. It's a fact. We might have strong muscles, but we have weak hearts. To that point....
A man would rather never ask a girl out, than ask her out and be turned down. The reality is most men will never ask a woman out, unless he already believes that he has a shot with her. This is more true, the more attractive the woman.
This is where you and signaling comes in. You need to give a guy the smallest of hints, that you are interested in him. Now obviously I don't mean grabbing his arm, and clutching it to your bosom, or rubbing your rear on his thigh or something. Obviously in a conservative church like yours, that would actually be a turn off to most.
I mean you have to give him just enough of a hint that he thinks you would take him up on an offer to go out. Eye contact. Smiling. Simple stuff. You have to use your womanly ways, just a little.
Again, most guys will never ask a girl out, unless they already believe before speaking a word, that they have a shot. You have to make them think they have a shot.
FYI, I think nothing is more attractive than a woman in a dress. So I doubt that is a problem.
Lastly, I'll just toss this in there.... there is the 'hawt girl curse'.
The hawt girl curse, is that if you are the most attractive girl in the room, guys are not only more cowards in approaching you, but often they assume you are with someone already. They just assume you already are with a guy because you are so hawt.
As a guy, I've heard guys talk this way about girls I happen to know were single. The reason I knew, and they didn't, is because they were too scared to talk to her.
I don't think this is your problem, because even if you are in fact the hawt girl of the group, I think in a church like yours, everyone knows who is taken, and who is not.
So again, I think you just need to signal. I think that will help you the most. Somehow you have to give a guy the impression he can win with you, and then you'll start getting bites on your lure.... (sorry to mix in a fishing reference, but it really is accurate to find a mate... you have to bait the hook... ok that's corny... but still)
lol
I hope this was somewhat helpful