So you're wandering through Skyrim, slaying dragons and discovering shouts, when suddenly you think: "Man, this would be more fun with a spouse." I get it. When I first played, I completely missed the marriage feature until my third character. But figuring out how can you marry in Skyrim isn't exactly straightforward. That's where this guide comes in - no fluff, just what you need to know from someone who's made every mistake possible.
Essential Requirements Before Proposing
You can't just walk up to anyone with a ring. There are specific hoops to jump through:
Must-Have Checklist:
- Amulet of Mara: This isn't optional. Without it, marriage dialogue won't trigger. I learned this the hard way after wasting an hour trying to propose to Aela.
- Completed "The Book of Love" quest: Head to Riften's Temple of Mara. Priestess Maramal gives this simple fetch quest that unlocks marriage mechanics.
- Spouse Eligibility: Not all NPCs are romanceable. Some require completing their personal quests first (more on that later).
One thing Bethesda didn't make obvious? Your gender doesn't matter at all. Skyrim's super progressive that way. My female Orc married Mjoll and nobody batted an eye.
Getting Your Hands on the Amulet of Mara
This necklace is your golden ticket. Two reliable ways to get it:
| Method | Where | Cost | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase | Riften's Bee and Barb tavern or Temple of Mara | 200 gold | Instant access but costs money |
| Find in World | Random loot in chests or as quest reward | Free | Unreliable, might take hours of searching |
Honestly? Just buy it. Two hundred gold is nothing when you're lugging around dragon bones. Equip it immediately after getting it - that's what triggers the proposal dialogue.
Who Can You Actually Marry in Skyrim?
Here's where things get interesting. Not everyone's available, and some have hidden requirements. I've broken down the most popular choices:
Followers
The easiest options. Just complete their personal quest and they're ready to wed:
- Aela the Huntress (Companions questline)
- Mjoll the Lioness (Retrieve Grimsever)
- J'zargo (College of Winterhold)
Shopkeepers
Run a store together? Yes please:
- Camilla Valerius (Riverwood Trader)
- Ysolda (Whiterun, requires Mammoth Tusk)
- Balimund (Riften blacksmith)
Special Cases
Unique requirements:
- Muiri (Requires Dark Brotherhood contract)
- Senna (Dawnstar Priestess)
- Argis the Bulwark (Become Thane of Markarth)
Personal favorite? Ysolda. She runs a killer shop from your home. Though I'll admit marrying a Daedric prince would've been cooler.
The Proposal Process Step-by-Step
Alright, you've got the amulet and picked your target. Now what?
Proposal Checklist:
- Wear the Amulet: Seriously, this trips up everyone.
- Complete Prerequisite Quests: For example, with Mjoll you must retrieve Grimsever first.
- Talk to Them: New dialogue option appears: "I'm interested in you."
- Acceptance: They'll say they're interested in marriage.
- Arrange Ceremony: Immediately head to Riften's Temple of Mara.
Weird quirk: NPCs won't marry you if you're wearing armor or have weapons drawn. Took me three reloads to figure that out. Just unequip everything before talking.
What Happens During the Wedding
The ceremony always happens between 6am-8am the next day. Be punctual! I overslept once and had to reload. Here's what to expect:
| Time | Activity | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Before 6am | Arrive at Temple | Priest won't start without you |
| Ceremony | Exchange vows | Lasts about 2 minutes |
| After vows | Guests congratulate | Spouse gives you gift |
| Post-wedding | Spouse goes home | Choose where to live (your house or theirs) |
Cool detail: Guests include NPCs you've helped. But if you murdered half of Riften... well, expect a sparse crowd.
Practical Benefits of Marriage
Beyond roleplaying, marriage has tangible gameplay advantages:
| Benefit | How it Works | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Income Share | Spouse runs shop (100 gold/day) | Daily |
| Home Cooking | Gives you homecooked meals | Daily |
| Sleep Bonus | Rested bonus doubles | When sleeping at home |
| Follower Spouses | Still accompany you | When asked |
That daily gold adds up. With multiple homes, I made my spouse run a shop from each location. Passive income ftw!
Common Problems and Fixes
Skyrim being Skyrim, things break. Here's troubleshooting I've tested:
Marriage Bugs and Solutions
- No Dialogue Option:
- Unequip weapons/armor
- Complete "The Book of Love"
- Reset AI (save, punch NPC, reload)
- Spouse Disappears:
- Check all owned houses
- Wait 24 hours at wedding location
- Console commands (if on PC)
- No Income:
- Ensure spouse is assigned to shop
- Place merchant chest in home
- Talk to them about store profits
My worst experience? Marrying Vilkas only to have him permanently stuck in Jorrvaskr. Had to use console commands to fix it. Typical Skyrim.
Advanced Marriage Mechanics
Beyond the basics, here's what most guides won't tell you:
Multiple Marriages?
Officially no. But there's a glitch: If your spouse dies (oops), Priestess Maramal will reset your marriage status. Morally questionable? Absolutely. But technically possible.
Child Adoption
Only possible after installing Hearthfire DLC. Requirements:
- Own a house with child's bedroom
- Talk to orphans in cities
- Max two children per playthrough
Divorce Options
No peaceful breakup mechanic. Your options:
- Murder them (lose inheritance)
- Ignore them permanently
- Reload pre-marriage save
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you marry Serana?
Not without mods. She explicitly refuses during Dawnguard quests. Trust me, I've tried every dialogue option.
Do races matter for marriage?
Zero impact. My Khajiit married a Nord and nobody cared. Only restrictions are quest completion and amulet.
Where's the best place to live after marriage?
Proudspire Manor (Solitude) has most space. But Breezehome (Whiterun) is centrally located. Avoid Honeyside - tiny and buggy.
Can your spouse die?
Only if they're followers on adventures. Non-follower spouses are essential. Save often!
Final Pro Tips
After dozens of marriages across playthroughs, here's my hard-earned wisdom:
- Money First: Get a house before marrying (Breezehome costs 5,000 gold). Otherwise you'll live in their terrible shack.
- Save Before Proposing: In case dialogue bugs out. Skyrim relationships are fragile.
- Spouse Selection Matters: Followers = adventuring buddies. Shopkeepers = better income. Choose based on playstyle.
- Assign Stores: Immediately ask "How's the store doing?" to activate income. I forgot once for weeks.
At the end of the day, figuring out how can you marry in Skyrim is worth it. That daily income and XP bonus? Chef's kiss. Just don't expect deep relationship mechanics - this is still Bethesda we're talking about.
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