When you play as the Dragonborn in Skyrim, there are plenty of quests and paths you can take. One such decision is to get married to the man or woman of your dreams. Before you get married, there are some prerequisites to fulfill.
If you’re not sure what the requirements are, you’re in luck. Even though each person has their own tasks to complete before marriage, you’ll also need a particular item. Read on to the end to find out about the whole process.
Getting an Amulet of Mara
The first step before getting married is to find an Amulet of Mara. The best way to obtain one is to visit Riften, as all weddings take place there. Travel to Riften if you haven’t already.
Next, you should locate a priest named Maramal. He’ll be in either the Temple of Mara or at the Bee and Barb. The first time you arrive in town, he’ll be in the Bee and Barb lecturing the townfolk about their wicked ways.
When you approach Maramal, talk to him and learn about marriage in Skyrim. He’ll eventually sell you an Amulet of Mara, which costs 200 Gold.
While you can also find an Amulet of Mara in other locations and occasionally loot it, Maramal is the most reliable source.
After you get the amulet, equip it to signify you’re available and ready to mingle.
Proposing to Your Future Wife or Husband
Once you wear the Amulet of Mara, you should be able to propose. However, every marriageable character has a requirement to fulfill before you can propose. For some, all you have to do is hire them, though others range from quests to beating them in a fight.
When you complete the requirement, you can finally propose to them. Should they accept, head back to Riften and find Maramal again.
Proceed With the Wedding Ceremony
Talk to Maramal to arrange the wedding. Keep in mind, though, that it doesn’t happen immediately. He’ll tell you it’ll take place between dawn and dusk the following day. In Skyrim time, that’s between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. However, it’s easy to miss your own wedding, so take careful note of when you arrange it with Maramal.
For example, if you arrange the marriage in the middle of the night (after 8 p.m. but before 8 a.m.), you don’t have to wait a whole day to start the ceremony. Enter the Temple of Mara after 8 a.m.to get married. Also, note that you need to re-enter the Temple. If you try to wait inside, the ceremony won’t start causing you to miss your wedding.
If you miss your wedding, you can ask for a second chance. However, it’s always a good idea to save before proposing just in case you run into any problems.
During the wedding ceremony, you’ll notice some familiar faces and old friends. After the celebrations, your new spouse will ask you where to live next. You can choose their home or one of yours.
Perks of Getting Married
Your spouse may continue their business or start a new one. Every day, you’ll receive 100 Gold as your share of the profits. These even stacks if you’re not home for a few days.
You can also ask for a Home Cooked Meal each day, which replenishes health, magicka, and stamina. It’s completely free as well.
When you sleep under the same roof as your spouse, you get a bonus called “Lover’s Comfort.” For eight in-game hours, you gain 15% more experience, which helps you level up sooner.
Marriage also gives you the “The Bond of Matrimony” ring in your inventory. This bonus reduces Restoration spell costs by 10%. You can disenchant it and get “Blessing of Mara,” but you can’t apply it to other objects.
Eternal Bonds
The only way to leave your spouse is to kill them, and even then, you’re still technically married to them. There’s no divorce in Skyrim, so make sure you choose wisely. Marriage comes with lots of perks, but before you decide to take an arrow to the knee, remember that in Skyrim, matrimony is forever.
Who did you choose to marry in Skyrim? Have you found an Amulet of Mara in random chests? Please tell us in the comments section below.
