Marriage (Skyrim)

Marriage is a newly introduced element in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. After obtaining the Amulet of Mara, a player has the option to engage in either a heterosexual or homosexual marriage with an eligible NPC. There is no discrimination based on race, however there are currently no eligible Khajiits or Bosmer. Those that can be married generally require that a specific task be completed beforehand. Whether you marry a merchant or not, you can purchase and sell items from your spouse and also collect a daily portion of their profits from their "work". Every time you ask your spouse how their business is faring, they will provide you your share of 100 gold (once every 24 hours). If you do not see your spouse for more than 24 hours, the gold accumulates until the next time you ask for it.

Obtaining the Amulet of Mara

 * Buy the Amulet of Mara from Maramal for 200 gold coins. He can be found at either the Bee and Barb or the Temple of Mara in Riften.


 * Can be found as random loot.


 * Can be found in a tent on a beach North of Dawnstar directly behind the Dawnstar Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary (Will Always Be There).


 * Can be looted from Kematu in Swindler's Den
 * Usually in a group of Imperial or Stormcloak Soldiers, at least one of them will have a chance of having one of the several Amulets of the Nine Divines when looted, meaning there is a possibility of finding an Amulet of Mara on them.
 * Received for completing The Book of Love questline.

If you obtain the amulet without talking to Maramal, you must still discuss marriage with him before you can propose.

(Note: that finding an Amulet of Mara as loot is usually completely random, meaning not all of the above locations will be accurate.)

Proposing
NOTE: You must first speak to Maramal about marriage in Skyrim before any dialog related to the amulet of mara will show up. New dialogue is unlocked with certain NPCs if the player is both wearing the Amulet of Mara and has met the requirement relating to them, (usually this means doing a quest, but with NPCs like Aela the Huntress you are required to complete a series of quests). You can now express the player's wish to marry him or her. Once that is done the player can speak to Maramal at the Temple of Mara about arranging the wedding.

Wedding Ceremony
The time to start a ceremony takes approximately 24 hours. Maramal alludes to the ceremony time being constrained between dawn and dusk, however the ceremony can happen at any given hour of the day. During the ceremony the player has one last chance to affirm the marriage before the ceremony proceeds.

NPCs for whom the player has previously completed quests may appear at the wedding ceremony as guests.

If you miss your Wedding Ceremony you can approach your intended wife or husband and ask for another chance. Then you can approach Maramal the next day and he will agree to host another ceremony and you may try again.

Married Life
After the Marriage, the player's partner will ask where the player wants to live and the player will have the choice of living with their new spouse or in a house owned by the player, if applicable.

The behavior of the spouse changes from the single character once married. Tone of voice changes, and behavior changes, they often refer to the player as love or dear from that point on. However, if you marry one of your housecarls, they will at times still refer to you as Thane using subordinate dialogue.

If the player's spouse relocates to a different city from where they originated, to live in one of the player's houses, they may indicate that they wish to become a shopowner to keep occupied while the player is adventuring.

If the player wishes to relocate the spouse to a different home, (either another one of the player's houses or the spouse's own original home), this can be done so at any time via a dialogue option.

Once a day, the player can ask their spouse to cook something for them. They will make a Homemade Meal that increases the regeneration of magicka, health, and stamina.

If the player sleeps in the house with their spouse, they receive a temporary bonus called Lover's Comfort that boosts the rate of skill-learning by 15% for 8 hours. However, you will not obtain this bonus if you have the Lover Stone activated or have undergone the Blood Ritual to become a Werewolf.

Note: Because they act as vendors, you can buy and sell items from a spouse. However, if you ask them to follow you, they will only sell you items from their inventory until you part ways. Spouses only act as merchants in the marital home, you cannot sell items to your spouse in a dungeon, (to reduce your carry weight, for instance).

Potential spouses
This is a non-exhaustive list.

Females

 * Aela the Huntress - Nord, Companion, Jorrvaskr, Whiterun.
 * ​Requirement: Completion of The Companion's story arc with Glory of the Dead.


 * Aeri - Nord, Lumberjack, Anga's Mill, The Pale.
 * Requirement: Work for her by chopping firewood.


 * Anwen - Redguard, Priestess, Temple of Dibella, Markarth.
 * Requirement: Complete Temple Quest: The Heart of Dibella


 * Avrusa Sarethi - Dark Elf, Farmer, Sarethi Farm, The Rift.


 * Borghak the Steel Heart - Orc, Warrior, Mor Khazgur, The Reach.
 * Requirement: Pay her dowry or convince her to leave her home.


 * Brelyna Maryon - Dark Elf, Student, College of Winterhold, Winterhold.
 * Requirement: Completion of Brelyna's Practice.


 * Camilla Valerius - Imperial, Merchant, Riverwood Trader, Riverwood.
 * Requirement: Completion of The Golden Claw.


 * Dravynea the Stoneweaver - Dark Elf, Mage, Kynesgrove, Eastmarch.
 * Requirement: Give her one Frost Salt.


 * Ghorza gra-Bagol - Orc, Blacksmith, Blacksmith Shed, Markarth.
 * Requirement: Give her The Last Scabbard of Akrash.


 * Gilfre - Imperial, Miller, Mixwater Mill, Eastmarch.
 * Requirement: Work for her by chopping firewood.


 * Grelka - Nord, Merchant, open market, Riften.


 * Iona - Nord, Housecarl, Honeyside, Riften.
 * Requirement: Become Thane of The Rift.


 * Jenassa - Dark Elf, Hireling, Drunken Huntsman, Whiterun.
 * Requirement: Hire her.


 * Jordis the Sword-Maiden - Nord, Housecarl, Proudspire Manor, Solitude.
 * Requirement: Become Thane of Solitude.


 * Mjoll the Lioness - Nord, Adventurer, Riften.
 * Requirement: Retrieve her sword, Grimsever, from the dwemer ruins of Mzinchaleft.


 * Muiri - Breton, Alchemist, The Hag’s Cure, Markarth.
 * Requirement: Completion of Mourning Never Comes. NOTE: You must kill BOTH targets to gain Muiri's affection.


 * Njada Stone-Arm - Nord, Companion, Jorrvaskr, Whiterun.
 * Requirement: Completion of The Companion's story arc with Glory of the Dead.


 * Orla - Nord, Priestess, Temple of Dibella, Markarth.
 * Requirement: Complete Temple Quest: The Heart of Dibella.


 * Ria - Imperial, Companion, Jorrvaskr, Whiterun.
 * Requirement: Completion of The Companion's story arc with Glory of the Dead.


 * Senna - Imperial, Priestess, Temple of Dibella, Markarth.
 * Requirement: Completion of The Heart of Dibella.


 * Shahvee - Argonian, Dockworker, Argonian Assemblage, Windhelm.
 * She may be married by recovering the Amulet of Zenithar and returning it to her. Please note that she may be killed in the quest Blood on the Ice, so it is suggested that you attempt to marry her before starting this quest, or proceed with caution saving often.


 * Sylgja - Nord, Miner, Shor's Stone, The Rift.
 * Requirement: Deliver her satchel to her father in Darkwater Crossing, then return his satchel to her.
 * Taarie - Altmer, Solitude
 * Requirement: Visit Elisif the Fair while wearing the outfit she gives you then return to her and tell her what happened.


 * Temba Wide-Arm - Nord, Miller, Ivarstead, The Rift.
 * Requirement: Bring her 10 bear pelts.


 * Uthgerd the Unbroken - Nord, found in her house, in Whiterun.
 * Requirement: Best her in a brawl battle.


 * Viola Giordano - Imperial, Busybody, Candlehearth Hall, Windhelm.
 * Requirement: Start Revyn Sadri 's favor, but then rat him out to Viola.


 * Ysolda - Nord, Citizen, open market, Whiterun.
 * Requirement: Give her a Mammoth Tusk.

Males

 * Ainethach - Breton, Mine Owner, Karthwasten, The Reach.


 * Angrenor Once-Honored - Nord, Beggar, Candelhearth Hall, Windhelm.
 * Requirement: Take pity and give the beggar a gold piece.


 * Argis the Bulwark - Nord, Housecarl, Vlindrel Hall, Markarth.
 * Requirement: Becoming Thane of Markarth.


 * Athis - Dark Elf, Companion, Jorrvaskr Living Quarters, Whiterun.
 * Requirement: Completion of The Companion's story arc with Glory of the Dead.


 * Balimund - Nord, Blacksmith, The Scorched Hammer, Riften.
 * Requirement: Give him 10 Fire Salts.


 * Belrand - Nord, Hireling, The Winking Skeever, Solitude.
 * Requirement: Hire him.


 * Benor - Nord, Warrior, Morthal.
 * Requirement: Challenge him to a brawl and win.


 * Calder - Nord, Housecarl, Hjerim, Windhelm.
 * Requirement: Become Thane of Eastmarch.


 * Cosnach - Breton, Drunk/Porter, Silver-Blood Inn, Markarth.
 * Requirement: Challenge him to a brawl and win.


 * Derkeethus - Argonian, Fisherman, Darkwater Crossing, Eastmarch.
 * Requirement: Find and rescue him.


 * Farkas - Nord, Companion, Jorrvaskr, Whiterun. (Vilkas' Twin)
 * Requirement: Completion of The Companion's story arc with Glory of the Dead.


 * Filnjar - Nord, Blacksmith, Shor's Stone, The Rift.
 * Requirement: Complete Quest, Mine or Yours


 * Gat gro-Shargakh - Orc, Miner, Left Hand Mine / Kolskeggr Mine, The Reach.
 * Requirement: Complete favor to Pavo Attius to liberate Kolskeggr Mine.


 * Ghorbash the Iron Hand - Orc, Warrior, Burguk's Longhouse, Dushnikh Yal, The Reach.


 * Marcurio - Imperial, Hireling, Bee and Barb, Riften.
 * Requirement: Hire him.


 * Moth gro-Bagol - Orc, Blacksmith, Understone Keep, Markarth.


 * Octieve San - Breton, Citizen, Solitude.


 * Omluag - Breton, Miner, Markath Smelter, Markarth.
 * Odfel - Nord, Miner, Shor's Stone.


 * Onmund - Nord, Student, The Hall of Attainment, College of Winterhold.


 * Pavo Attius - Imperial, Miner, Left Hand Mine / Kolskeggr Mine, The Reach.
 * Requirement: Complete his favor to liberate Kolskeggre Mine.


 * Perth - Breton, Miner, Soljund's Sinkhole, The Reach.


 * Quintus Navale - Imperial, Alchemist, The White Phial, Windhelm.
 * Requirement: Complete Quest, Repairing the Phial


 * Revyn Sadri - Dark Elf, Merchant, Sadri's Used Wares, Windhelm.
 * Requirement: Bring back stolen ring from shop's stock to Windhelm inhabitant


 * Roggi Knot-Beard - Nord, Miner, Steamscorch Mine, Kynesgrove, Eastmarch.


 * Romlyn Dreth - Dark Elf, Meadery Worker, Black-Briar Meadery, Riften.


 * Scouts-Many-Marshes - Argonian, Dockworker, Argonian Assemblage, in Windhelm.


 * Sondas Drenim - Dark Elf, Miner, Goldenrock Mine, Darkwater Crossing, Eastmarch.


 * Sorex Vinius - Imperial, Assistant Innkeeper, Winking Skeever, Solitude.


 * Stenvar - Nord, Hireling, Candlehearth Hall, Windhelm.
 * Requirement: Hire him.


 * Torvar - Nord, Companion, Jorrvaskr, Whiterun.
 * Requirement: Completion of The Companion's story arc with Glory of the Dead.


 * Vilkas - Nord, Companion, Jorrvaskr, Whiterun. (Farkas' Twin)
 * Requirement: Completion of The Companion's story arc with Glory of the Dead.


 * Vorstag - Nord, Hireling, Silver-Blood Inn, Markarth.


 * Wilhelm - Nord, Innkeeper, Vilemyr Inn, Ivarstead, The Rift.
 * Requirement: Complete Dungeon Quest, Wilhelm's Scream.

Forcing NPC Marriage
Players can force the marriage dialog option to appear on NPCs by opening the console, targeting the desired NPC, and typing the command "addfac 19809 1". This could possibly cause issues with NPCs who were not originally intended to have this option.

Also, you need to type the command "setrelationshiprank player 4" after adding the marriage faction. This works on those NPCs you tried the addfac code by itself and didn't work.

Divorce
Trying to breakup with your spouse is, for some reason, impossible without the console. If you search for help "breakup" 4 you will notice dialogue and quests that show reference to what must have been the original intention of breaking up with a spouse.

OPTION #1

You can use the relationshipbreakup quest: 0007431B in this fashion. (PC) Use the console to enter these commands:


 * completequest 0007431B


 * resetquest 0007431B

(This is just formaility to reset the "marriage" quest.)
 * resetquest 00021382 

The above will prevent you from having to kill your spouse, but each time they see you they will tell you how much even the thought of you makes their blood boil. Enjoy.

ALTERNATIVE #2


 * Kill your spouse, (better if you do it while staying in your house, to avoid bounty)


 * Enter console command Setstage RelationshipMarriage 10

ALTERNATIVE #3 (Tested for PC - 11-Dec-2011)
 * Use console commands resurrect on your ex-spouse (and eventually use command setrelationshiprank player 4 on him/her to keep the relationship status obtained with the npc related quests)
 * You don't need to drop or sell your old Amulet of Mara, but remember to wear it while looking for a new partner.
 * Ensure you retain your Amulet of Mara necklace, (or go find another one).
 * Ensure you take any items you want from your current spouse before starting this process, (eg. if they're carrying weapons, armor, etc. for you as a current follower).
 * Locate and stand in front of your current spouse.
 * Enter console mode by pressing the "~" key.
 * Target your current spouse by clicking on them with the mouse while in console mode.
 * Type the following console commands one after the other:
 * removefac 51596
 * player.removefac C6472
 * resetquest 74793
 * resetquest 21382
 * setstage 74793 10
 * Exit console mode by pressing the "~" key.
 * Your old spouse will immediately exit your house and return to their regular location.
 * Enter in-game "wait time" mode by pressing the "T" key, and select 24 hours (max wait time).
 * After the maximum 24 hour wait, equip your Amulet of Mara again.
 * Go to your next spouse, and the dialogue should once again become available for you to ask them to marry you, (as long as any other pre-requisite tasks are complete).
 * Once they agree, you'll be able to arrange and attend your next wedding ceremony in Riften again.

Bugs

 * Sometimes, Maramal will not show up at the temple until you talking to him at the Bee and Barb.


 * A bug can occur in which a scripted NPC interrupts the wedding if you choose to wait overnight in the Temple of Mara. For example: the priestess of Azura might make you miss your wedding if you recently complete the Azura's Star quest. What results is that you miss your wedding, but still have the option to make it up to the other person..


 * Some users playing as a male character may experience Vilkas chasing after them in Jorrvaskr trying to marry them, with his weapon drawn, and no actual action done by the player.


 * Some people you marry, (such as Aela the Huntress), have no voice acting recorded for when you ask to browse their merchandise when they open a store, the subtitle will appear on screen and their lips still move but nothing will be heard.


 * If you take Aela the Huntress out to get married while on the quest to recover the Hircine totem, she will continue to follow you but if you fast travel anywhere she will disappear and that quest will not be able to be completed since you have to find the totem together.


 * After completing Boethia's Calling the follower you sacrificed on the alter may appear in the temple and result in no bounty being added, but all the guests and your fiance will act as though they were killed during the ceremony resulting in a failure to get married.
 * If you accept a random companion quest and the quest is killing a monster that has invaded a home, that home may be yours and your wife's. Upon entering the home no one will be there but the monster and your wife will temporarily disapear from the game.
 * Carlotta can sometimes be married, but will leave her child behind if she moves elsewhere with the player.
 * (PS3) Sleeping in the same house with your spouse may not result in the "Lover's Comfort" sleeping buff, only the standard "Well Rested" bonus. Additional testing required to determine conditions to trigger this bug. (Also happend to me on PC, with Lydia as wife and follower.)