The Bonds of Matrimony

A Life Lived Alone Is No Life at All

Sometimes it is lonely on the mist-filled pathways of Skyrim. You may yearn for companionship. Or something more? If you feel your life is incomplete and must be shared with someone, make your way to Riften and check the Bee and Barb tavern or the Temple of Mara for a talk with Maramal the priest. He detests the drinking of mead and hopes the drunkards of Riften will eventually accept the teachings of the handmaiden of Kyne. Ask for more information about the Temple of Mara, and he tells you she is the goddess of love, tending to the sick, poor, and lost. The priests of Mara also perform wedding ceremonies for all the loving couples in Skyrim. Now ask how marriage works:

Life is hard and short, so there is little time for courtship. A person interested in looking for a spouse simply wears an Amulet of Mara around their neck, indicating their availability. After another shows interest and they agree to be together, they come to the temple and marry. You can purchase one of these Amulets for the low price of 200 gold pieces.

• Amulet of Mara

After you purchase an Amulet of Mara, check your Items > Apparel menu, and wear the necklace, or you’ll never entice a spouse! At this point, you must find someone who wishes to marry you. To do this, you must strike up a friendship with any one of the following potential suitors. “Striking a friendship” means completing a favor for them, or otherwise getting into their good graces.

Potential Spouse

When you’re on friendly terms with your potential partner, they will notice—and mention—your Amulet of Mara and will usually express surprise that you’re not spoken for. You can choose to ignore this advance or ask if they’re interested in you. They answer that they are. But are you interested in them? Answer yes if you wish to continue down this road of happiness, or no to remain alone. You’re tasked with arranging the marriage straight away...in case one of you dies.

Return to Riften and find Maramel, either in the Temple of Mara or in the Bee and Barb. Tell him you’d like to have a wedding at the temple. He agrees, and sets the date for the next day, between dawn (5:00 a.m.) and dusk (7:00 p.m.).

Prosperity and Poverty, Joy, and Hardship

Oh, happy day! Tomorrow dawns, and you can head to the Temple of Mara at any time before dusk. Your spouse-to-be is already there and doesn’t need to be told to turn up. As you enter, the ceremony begins. Maramal conducts the ceremony and eventually asks if you agree to be bound together in love, now and forever. You can:

• Agree, for now and forever.
• Or freak out slightly, halt the wedding, and tell Maramal you can’t go through with it.
• Or freak out completely and attack everyone. Doing this or leaving the temple during the ceremony fails this quest, and usually ups your Crime in the Rift considerably.

Assuming you didn’t ruin your betrothed’s day, he declares you to be wed.

• The Bond of Matrimony

At this point, your spouse asks where you both should live, now that you’re married. They offer their own home to you. You can:

• Agree, and visit the house (which should appear on your world map). Depending on who you’ve married, this could be anything from a sturdy-built stone dwelling to a small tent in the tundra.
• Or, if you’ve already purchased a dwelling as part of the Thane Tasks, you can choose your spouse to live with you.
• Spouse

Quest Conclusion

The “happily ever after” part is next. Your spouse grants you the following benefits:

• You can ask them to serve up a home-cooked meal for you once every 24 hours.
• They set up a shop in the house you’re living in. If your spouse was a merchant, they sell what they did before. If they weren’t, they sell miscellaneous objects.
• You may sleep close to your spouse and receive a bonus, feeling your Lover’s Comfort when you awaken.
• If your spouse is also a Follower, they can accompany you on adventures.
• If your spouse is also a Trainer, you can train with them at your marital home.
• If your spouse is a Follower and a Trainer, you can train with them anywhere you like!
• If you’ve chosen to marry your Housecarl, you move into the abode that your spouse is already in charge of (one of the ones you’ve owned or built yourself before hiring them).
• If you have an adopted child, your spouse also becomes their mother or father, and your betrothed may speak with you about your child.
• Lover’s Comfort