How to get married in Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a cornerstone of Bethesda’s gaming library, continues to captivate millions of gamers around the globe. Having sold over 30 million copies, Skyrim remains as engaging in 2021 as it was at its debut in 2011, drawing both newcomers and seasoned veterans. Beyond its expansive landscapes and epic quests, Skyrim offers a unique domestic bliss: the ability to marry and adopt children. For those weary of battling dragons and giants, why not consider a quieter life? Imagine settling down in a quaint cottage in Eastmarch, surrounded by family. This article dives into the enchanting process of marriage in Skyrim, enriching your gaming experience with a touch of home.

Marrying in Skyrim isn’t just about adding a layer of domestic bliss to your adventures—it’s a smart strategy, bringing both personal and financial benefits. As the Dragonborn, you can choose from over 60 potential NPC spouses once specific quests are completed. Once married, your spouse sets up a trading business at your home, diligently earning 100 gold every 24 in-game hours. This income accumulates, ensuring you return to a tidy sum after your quests.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to tying the knot in the land of Skyrim:

Step 1: Acquiring the Amulet of Mara
The Amulet of Mara is essential for marriage in Skyrim and can be found in various locations, including random chests. However, the most straightforward method is to buy one from Maramal for 200 gold. Maramal, a Redguard priest of the Cult of Mara, can be found either at the Bee and Barb tavern or at the Temple of Mara in Riften. After purchasing the amulet, discuss marriage with him to learn more about the Skyrim traditions.

Step 2: Proposing to Your Chosen NPC
With the Amulet of Mara, approach the NPC you wish to marry. Each has a specific quest you must complete to unlock the marriage proposal option. Once done, propose and they will agree to marry you if you’ve fulfilled all conditions.

Step 3: Organizing the Wedding Ceremony
Return to Riften and speak with Maramal at the Temple of Mara to set up your wedding. There isn’t a fixed time for the ceremony, and it’s easy to miss if you wander off, so stay in the temple and wait in one-hour increments until it starts. If you miss it, you can always talk to your partner and Maramal to reschedule for the next day.

Bonus Tip: Finding the Amulet of Mara
For those who enjoy a good scavenger hunt, an Amulet of Mara can also be found in an unmarked location north of Dawnstar, in the Lover’s Tent, right behind the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. Alternatively, complete “The Book of Love” quest initiated by Dinya Balu in the Temple of Mara for a more story-driven approach to obtaining the amulet.

This guide ensures your journey into marital bliss in Skyrim is as adventurous and rewarding as your battles across the land. And who knows? With the upcoming release of Starfield, Bethesda might just introduce marriage in outer space—giving a whole new meaning to tying the knot ‘under the stars’.

Married life in Skyrim not only enriches your gameplay with a touch of domesticity but also brings a range of tangible benefits that can enhance your adventures. After you’ve tied the knot, you’ll discuss with your spouse where you’ll both live. You have the option to settle in any existing properties you own or even construct your own house through the Hearthfire DLC. Regardless of your choice, your spouse will join you there, and you’re free to relocate whenever you wish. If you don’t yet own a property, you can simply move into your spouse’s home.

Perks of Living with Your Spouse

1. Home Cooked Meals: Daily, your spouse can cook you a meal that increases your Health, Stamina, and Magicka regeneration by 25% for 10 minutes, boosting your abilities in combat and exploration.
2. Lover’s Comfort: Sleeping in the same house as your spouse grants you the “Lover’s Comfort” bonus, accelerating your skill learning speed by 15% for eight hours. This is particularly useful for leveling up faster, though note that it doesn’t stack with the effects of the Lover Stone.

These perks hint at the thoughtful integration of gameplay mechanics with storytelling, enhancing both the emotional and strategic aspects of the game. With the anticipation of The Elder Scrolls VI, players are hopeful for even more nuanced and rewarding marriage dynamics.

Choosing a Spouse in Skyrim

Selecting a spouse in Skyrim involves more than just romantic considerations; you need to think about their location and the quests required to win their hearts. Here is a snapshot of potential spouses, each with unique prerequisites and residing in different parts of Skyrim. Whether you prefer a warrior who can join you in battle or a merchant who provides economic benefits, Skyrim offers a diverse array of characters to suit your adventuring style and personal preferences. This list helps you find a companion who not only brings companionship but also practical advantages in the world of Skyrim.

Female marriage options in Skyrim

Aela the Huntress:Jorrvaskr, Whiterun — Complete the Companions’ questline.

Aeri: Anga’s Mill, The Pale — Chop firewood with her.

Anween: Temple of Dibella, Markarth — Complete “The Heart of Dibella.”

Avrusa Sarethi: Sarethi Farm, The Rift — Collect 20 Jazbay Grapes

Borgakh the Steel Heart: Mor Khazgur, Haafingar — Pay her dowry or convince her to leave her home.

Brelyna Maryon: College of Winterhold — Complete “Brelyna’s Practice.”

Camilla Valerius: Riverwood Trader, Riverwood — Complete “The Golden Claw.”

Dravynea the Stoneweaver: Kynesgrove, Eastmarch — Give her Frost Salts.

Ghorza gra-Bagol: Blacksmith Shed, Markarth — Find and give her with The Last Scabbard of Akrash (Book).

Gilfre: Mixwater Mill, Eastmarch — Chop firewood with her.

Hilund: Bujold’s Retreat or Thirsk Mead Hall — Complete “Retaking Thirsk” and then collect 50 Reikling Spears.

Iona: Honeyside, Riften — Become the Thane of The Rift.

Jenassa: The Drunken Huntsman, Whiterun — Hire her.

Jordis the Sword-Maiden: Proudspire Manor, Solitude — Become the Thane of Solitude.

Lydia: Whiterun — Become the Thane of Whiterun. (You must buy the Breezehome.)

Mjoll the Lioness: Riften — Retrieve her sword from Mzinchaleft.

Morwen: Skaal Village — Free the Skaal after you deliver her mother’s amulet to Runil in Falkreath.

Muiri: The Hag’s Cure, Markarth — Complete “Mourning Never Comes” and kill both targets.

Njada Stonearm: Jorrvaskr, Whiterun — Complete the Companions’ story arc.

Orla: Temple of Dibella, Markarth — Complete “The Heart of Dibella.”

Rayya: Lakeview Manor, Falkrieth — Become the Thane of Falkreath, then buy Lakeview Manor.

Ria: Jorrvaskr, Whiterun — Complete the Companions’ story arc.

Senna: Temple of Dibella, Markarth — Complete “The Heart of Dibella.”

Shahvee: Argonian Assemblage, Windhelm — Recover her lost Amulet of Zenithar and return it to her.

Sylgja: Shor’s Stone, The Rift — Return her Satchel to her father in Darkwater crossing.

Taarie: Solitude — Complete “Fit for a Jarl,” and invest in Radiant Raiment. (You must have Investment perk in the Speech tree.)

Temba Wide-Arm: Ivarstead, The Rift — Give her 10 Bear Pelts.

Uthgerd the Unbroken: The Bannered Mare, Whiterun — Beat her in a brawl.

Viola Giordano: Candlehearth Hall, Windhelm — Rat out Viola during Revyn Sadri’s favor.

Ysolda: Whiterun — Give her a Mammoth Tusk.

Male marriage options in Skyrim

Ainethach: Karthwasten, The Reach — Get the Silver-Blood Thugs to leave his mine.

Angrenor Once-Honored: Candlehearth Hall, Windhelm — Give him a gold piece.

Argis the Bulwark: Vlindrel Hall, Markarth — Become the Thane of Markarth.

Athis: Jorrvaskr Living Quarters, Whiterun — Complete the Companions’ story arc.

Balimund: The Scorched Hammer, Riften — Give him 10 Fire Salts.

Belrand: The Winking Skeever, Solitude — Hire him.

Benor: Morthal — Beat him in a brawl.

Calder: Hjerim, Windhelm — Become the Thane of Eastmarch.

Cosnach: Silver-Blood Inn, Markarth — Beat him in a brawl.

Derkeethus: Darkwater Crossing, Eastmarch — Rescue him.

Farkas: Jorrvaskr, Whiterun — Complete the Companions’ story arc.

Filnjar: Shor’s Stone, The Rift — Complete the “Mine or Yours” quest.

Gat gro-Shargakh: Left Hand Mine or Kolskeggr Mine, The Reach — Complete the favor for Pavo Attius to liberate Kolskeggr Mine.

Ghorbash the Iron Hand: Burguk’s Longhouse, The Reach — Convince him to leave or pay his dowry.

Gregor: The White Hall, Dawnstar — Become the Thane of The Pale.

Marcurio: Bee and Barb, Riften — Hire him.

Halbarn Iron-Fur: Bujold’s Retreat or Thirsk Mead Hall — Complete “Retaking Thirsk” and “Halbarn’s Supplies.”

Moth gro-Bagol: Understone Keep, Markarth — Give him a Daedra Heart.

Octieve San: Winking Skeever, Solitude — Help the gamblers.

Omluag: Markarth Smelter, Markarth — Talk to Mulush gro-Shugurz in Markarth regarding the smelter workers.

Onmund: College of Winterhold — Recover his Amulet.

Pavo Attius: Left Hand Mine or Kolskeggr Mine, The Reach — Liberate Kolskeggr Mine.

Perth: Soljund’s Sinkhole, The Reach — Clear the Draugr out of Soljund’s Sinkhole.

Quintus Navale: The White Phial, Windhelm — Complete “Repairing the Phial.”

Revyn Sadri: Sadri’s Used Wares, Windhelm — Return the stolen ring to Viola Giordano.

Roggi Knot-Beard: Steamscorch Mine, Kynesgrove, Eastmarch — Find and return his Family Shield.

Romlyn Dreth: Black-Briar Meadery, Riften — Bring the Black-Briar Mead Keg to Ivarstead and give it to Wilhelm.

Scouts-Many-Marshes: Argonian Assemblage, Windhelm — Talk to Torbjorn Shatter-Shield about the Argonian dock workers.

Sondas Drenin: Goldenrock Mine, Darkwater Crossing, Eastmarch — Give his note to Quintus Navale.

Sorex Vinius: Winking Skeever, Solitude — Bring kegs of rum to Falk Firebeard at the Blue Palace.

Stenvar: Candlehearth Hall, Windhelm — Hire him.

Torvar: Jorrvaskr, Whiterun — Complete the Companions’ story arc.

Vilkas: Jorrvaskr, Whiterun — Complete the Companions’ story arc.

Vorstag: Silver-Blood Inn, Markarth — Hire him.

Wilhelm: Vilemyr Inn, Ivarstead, The Rift — Investigate and complete Shroud Hearth Barrow.

For more marriage fun, don’t forget to check out some of the best mods in Skyrim downloadable from the main screen.