The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim offers players a rich open-world experience filled with endless quests, detailed lore, and deep role-playing mechanics. Among its many life-simulation features, players often wonder if settling down and starting a family in the icy province is possible. Fortunately, Skyrim fully supports matrimony, allowing the Dragonborn to wed various non-player characters regardless of gender or race.
Understanding the Basics of Skyrim Marriage Mechanics
Marriage in Skyrim serves as both a narrative role-playing feature and a practical gameplay asset. Once married, your spouse can move into your home, cook home-cooked meals, and provide a daily income generated from their personal shop. These benefits make marriage a highly rewarding endeavor for adventurers looking for extra support on their journeys.
Unlike real-life weddings, the marital process in Tamriel is direct and deeply tied to the traditions of the Temple of Mara. Understanding how to initiate courtship is the first major step toward finding a suitable partner. Once the initial prerequisites are met, players can propose to dozens of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes across Skyrim.
Essential Requirements to Get Married in Skyrim
Before you can ask anyone for their hand in marriage, you must speak with Maramal, a priest inside the Temple of Mara in Riften. He will explain the customs of marriage in Skyrim and sell you the Amulet of Mara for a small amount of gold. Wearing this sacred amulet signals to potential suitors that you are actively seeking a spouse.
Simply wearing the amulet is not enough to gain a proposal, as candidate NPCs require you to win their favor first. Favor is typically earned by completing a personal favor, a specific side quest, or clearing a dungeon on their behalf. Once their quest is complete, wearing the amulet while speaking to them opens unique marriage dialogue choices.
Exploring Available Marriage Options and Candidates
Skyrim features over sixty potential spouses scattered across various holds, towns, and factions. Options range from fierce warriors like Aela the Huntress and Mjoll the Lioness to skilled artisans like Ysolda or Camilla Valerius. Each character brings distinct personality traits, voice lines, and potential followings during combat encounters.
Choosing the right partner depends entirely on your playstyle and personal role-playing preferences. Some spouses act as powerful combat companions who can travel alongside you, while others remain safely at home managing domestic duties. You can also choose to move into your spouse's existing residence if you do not yet own property.
The Wedding Ceremony and Post-Marriage Benefits
After a proposal is accepted, you must return to the Temple of Mara to schedule the official wedding ceremony. The priest will instruct you to arrive the following day, where friends and acquaintances will gather to witness your vows. Successfully completing the ceremony awards you an enchanted wedding ring that boosts your restoration magicka.
After the wedding, speaking with your spouse allows you to decide where you will reside together. Married life provides several distinct passive perks, including the Lover's Comfort bonus, which boosts skill progression speed after sleeping. Managing your household properly ensures a continuous stream of gold and helpful resources throughout your adventures.
