21 Best Skyrim Wives & How To Marry Them?

At some point in their adventures with The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, players will want to find a more permanent place to live and maybe even a permanent friend.

With the Amulet of Mara, players can talk to any character they want to marry, as long as they’ve done one of their personal quests and earned the character’s trust.

But it can be hard to find the right person when there are about 65 different ways to fall in love.

Here’s a list of the best wives in Skyrim that players can choose to settle down with, along with a short guide on how to get married to them and where to find them in the first place.

How Do You Get Married In Skyrim?

In Skyrim, players need to talk to Maramal before they can get married. You can find him in Riften, where he gives a speech at the Bee and Barb when you first get there, or at the Temple of Mara.

When you talk to him in Skyrim, you can talk about marriage if you ask him about it.

After talking to Maramal, players must get an Amulet of Mara and put it on before they can talk to a possible spouse.

The option to talk about getting married won’t show up until the spouse’s personal quest is done, so make sure to help them with whatever they need to do first.

21. Gilfre

Gilfre is the person to talk to in Skyrim if you want a spouse who cares about keeping the family together.

She is an Imperial woman who works as a lumberjack. The Dragonborn will like her after they accept her quest to chop some wood for her.

To find her, go to the Mixwater Mill, which is south of Windhelm. To get there, follow the river that cuts through Eastmarch towards the Rift until you reach the mill.

Make sure you have a woodcutter’s axe on hand so you can cut some wood and sell it to her to finish her quest.

20. Sylgja

Sylgja is a Nord who works as a miner and lives in the small town of Shor’s Stone. She lives there and works in the Redbelly Mine to make money.

Sylgja and her parents, who are also miners, are very close. They write each other letters often.

She got hurt while mining, though, so at one point in the game she asks you to take a bag to her father. This is where the quest called “Special Delivery” starts.

After you finish this quest, you will be able to marry Sylgja. You can also move into her house and use the things you find there, which is a huge plus.

19. Orla

Orla is a Nord priestess who serves Dibella, the goddess of love. She is beautiful and mysterious.

This priestess spends her days doing different jobs in the Temple of Dibella.

If you have your eye on Orla and want to marry her, you have to finish a quest called “The Heart of Dibella.”

Like all of the other options on this list, this marriage has both pros and cons.

Orla will give you money every day, but after you get married, she won’t leave the temple.

It doesn’t matter if you own your own home or not. So, if you sleep near her, you won’t get the Lover’s Comfort, which is a bit of a bummer.

18. Ghorza gra-Bagol

Ghorza gra-Bagol is an orc blacksmith, just like her name says.

She owns and runs her own forge in the middle of Markarth.

Ghorza is great at making and selling weapons, and he can also teach people how to make weapons.

She has an apprentice who often irritates her, but Ghorza is patient and willing to share what she has learned over the years.

If you want to get married to her, you need to finish the Skilled Apprenticeship quest.

You will be asked to get a certain book, and you should also have your Amulet of Mara with you.

17. Ysolda

Ysolda is a trader from the North who likes to hang out in Dragonsreach. She goes to the market a lot because, well, that’s what she does for a living.

Ysolda is polite and shows respect to the other characters. She will give you the Rare Gifts quest and ask you to find her a mammoth tusk.

You have to do this quest if you want to be able to marry Ysolda.

But you can also finish the Ysolda’s Shipment quest if you want your wedding to be more fun.

A whole Khajiit caravan will come to your wedding, which is very interesting.

16. Avrusa Sarethi

If you’re in The Rift, you might want to stop by Sarethi Farm. Avrusa Sarethi, a Dunmer apothecary who lives with her sister in this rural area, is there.

Avrusa stands out from other women who could be wives because of her personality and funny dialogue.

If you want to marry Avrusa, she will give you a quest called “Smooth Jazbay.” You must finish this quest if you want to marry her. Again, you need the Amulet of Mara to be able to make that sweet, holy union.

15. Aeri

Aeri is a tough Nord who works as a lumberjack. Her father left her a mill when he died.

Aeri is working hard to pay off his debt, which she got when she took over his business.

You can find Aeri in The Pale. She will give you two easy tasks to do. When you’re done, Aeri will be eligible to get married.

When you marry Aeri, you get a few extra perks, like being able to cut your own wood for free because she’ll pay for it.

14. Dravynea the Stoneweaver

Dravynea the Stoneweaver might not be the most beautiful wife on this list, but she knows how to help people in need.

She is a Dunmer mage who works in Kynesgrove, Eastmarch, at the Steamscorch Mine.

Her job is to make sure the miners don’t get hurt by stopping accidents. Dravynea is also a very good trainer for changing.

For a Dragonborn to be able to marry Dravynea, they have to finish a short quest that she gives them. You have to get her Frost Salts, and that’s pretty much it. So, all in all, it wasn’t too hard to catch.

She won’t follow you after you get married, so she won’t fight with you at all. But she will open a store where things can be bought and sold.

13. Lydia

Lydia is a great follower and life partner. She is strong and can’t be stopped.

She is a Nord warrior who likes to fight with her hands. If you finish the Dragon Rising quest and buy Breezehome, Lydia can come to help you around the house.

She lives in Whiterun, so if you go there to ask Lydia to be your wife, don’t forget to wear your Amulet of Mara.

After the wedding, Lydia will open her little shop and give you 100 gold every day. What a wonderful allowance!

She will also move into the Breezehome and cook your meals every week. I don’t know about you, but to me, that seems like a lot.

12. Jordis the Sword-Maiden

If you do different quests in Solitude, you can make Jordis the Sword-Maiden your follower, housecarl, and wife.

She is a Nord warrior who is good at archery and can use weapons that only require one hand.

To get Jordis, you need to finish five quests in Solitude and a personal request from Jarl Elisif.

Not to mention that you have to buy Proudspire Manor to play this. Once all of these crazy conditions are met, a Dragonborn can ask for her hand in marriage.

Jordis will open her own shop once she is your wife. Keep in mind that she will ask you if you want to move into her house, but even if you say yes, Jordis will wait for you at your own place.

11. Muiri

If looks are more important to you, Muiri is the right woman for you.

She works at the Hag’s Cure in Markarth as an assistant to the apothecary.

Don’t be fooled by Muiri’s badass tattoos; she’s not very good at fighting and can only reach level 6. This means she won’t be a very good follower.

But this union has many benefits since you will be able to buy and sell potions in Muiri’s shop.

A Dragonborn will also get a room in the Hag’s Cure that you can share with her. Keep in mind that for any of this to happen, you need to join the Dark Brotherhood and finish a quest called “Mourning Never Comes.”

10. Camilla Valerius

Camilla Valerius is definitely pretty, and Faendal and Sven are already vying for her attention.

She works for the Imperial government and lives with her brother in Riverwood.

If you want Camilla to be your wife, your Dragonborn must finish a quest called “The Golden Claw.” Then you can ask Camilla to be your wife before someone else does.

You also get a room in Riverwood, which is a nice, roomy perk of this marriage.

Camilla can also move in with you, but Faendal will still come to see her no matter where she is. The guy just doesn’t want to let her go.

9. Taarie

Taarie is an interesting person to marry because she is the only Altmer you can marry.

She works at a store in Solitude called Radiant Raiment, which sells clothes.

She says that even though she is a bit rude, it’s because she is honest.

To marry Taarie, you only need to finish the quest “Fit for a Jarl” and put money into her shop.

But don’t put money into her sister Endarie’s shop, or the option to get married will go away.

Which seems rude, but she really doesn’t want you to hit on her sister.

Even though she already owns Radiant Raiment, Taarie will open a new shop when she marries you.

8. Ria

If you like women who aren’t afraid of anything, Ria is for you.

She is a member of the Companions, so you can find her at their headquarters, Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun.

Players who need deadly warriors on their side will be glad to know that Ria knows how to fight and does it very well.

She doesn’t have a home of her own, so if you two get married, you won’t have a place to live.

That doesn’t mean, though, that you won’t get any bonuses.

If you sleep near Ria, you’ll get the Lover’s Comfort, which gives your skills a 15% boost. First, you only need a place to sleep.

But you have to finish the Companions’ questline before you can ask Ria to marry you.

7. Brelyna Maryon

Brelyna Maryon is an apprentice at the College of Winterhold, where she studies mysticism.

She can be asked to join as a follower, and she can also be asked to marry.

As a follower, Brelyna does a lot of damage to her enemies, and they can’t kill her.

She is a good choice for people who are just starting out in Skyrim and need help right away.

So, what do you need to do so that Brelyna will marry you?

In fact, the process is very easy. Just do a quest called “Brelyna’s Practice,” and if you’re wearing the “Amulet of Mara,” she’ll talk to you about marriage.

When Brelyna is your wife, you can stay in her room at the College of Winterhold with her. Easy way to get a job in a college like that.

6. Jenassa

Jenassa is a great follower and an even better wife. She works as a mercenary for the Dunmer, and you can find her in Whiterun at the Drunken Huntsman.

Since she works for money, you don’t have to do any quests for her to follow you or marry you.

You can hire her for 500 gold, and she will join you on your adventures.

Jenassa is a great fighter who is very good at using a bow. Even after you get married, she will still be a loyal follower.

Jenassa will also open a shop and give you 100 gold every day, so she brings a lot of good things with her.

5. Njada Stonearm

If you want to get better at fighting, Njada Stonearm is a great choice for a wife.

She doesn’t have her own house, that’s true. But Njada is a great fighter, and he will teach you how to be one too.

With Njada’s help, you will definitely learn how to block correctly.

Njada is also a member of the Companions, and you can find her at Jorrvaskr in Whiterun. Once you finish Glory of the Dead, you can marry her.

4. Mjoll the Lioness

Mjoll is a great follower, but she could also be a wife.

She is a vigilante Nord who hangs out in Riften at the Bee and Barb inn.

But she comes with Aerin, so even if you decide to marry her, Aerin will go with you.

You have to be at least level 14 to marry Mjoll. Then talk to her and tell her that you don’t like the Thieves Guild.

Then, Mjoll will give you the Grimsever’s Return quest. After you finish it, you can ask her to be your wife. It’s not too hard, but you’ll need to level up first.

Like many other wives, Mjoll has a nice perk: she will open a shop and send you 100 gold every day.

3. Borgakh the Steel Heart

If a player wants to get the most out of their marriage, Borgakh the Steel Heart is the best choice because he has so many benefits.

Mor Khazgur is an orc stronghold where you can find Borgakh. And yes, Borgakh is an orc, but don’t let her tough looks scare you.

If you marry her, you’ll get a lot of good things out of it.

You can move into Borgakh’s house and live in the stronghold, for example. This means you can go to shops and talk to trainers.

Also, you’ll always be safe and cared for when you’re there. So, if you really want Borgakh, all you have to do is get her to join your side.

If you are wearing the Amulet of Mara, you will be able to marry her. This makes her one of the easiest wives to get.

2. Uthgerd the Unbroken

If you are just getting started, Uthgerd will be a very helpful friend.

She is at the Bannered Mare inn in Whiterun, where you can find her.

But here’s the tricky part: to be able to marry her, you have to beat Uthgerd in a fight.

If your level is high enough, this should be easy for you to do. Once she’s your wife, she gives you the standard daily allowance of 100 gold.

The fight itself isn’t too hard, and you can win pretty easily as long as you’ve done your homework.

Uthgerd is a great character who can both tank and hurt enemies. If you do decide to marry her, it’s a big plus that Uthgerd has her own house in Whiterun’s Wind District.

1. Aela the Huntress

For a good reason, Aela is probably the most popular wife in Skyrim. Players choose to marry her because she is a great follower and a beautiful girl.

You’ll be able to work with her early on in the game, so you can start exploring the world together right away.

In fact, she can get as high as level 50!

Aela is a good archer and can use one-handed weapons with more accuracy than you’ve ever seen. Plus, she knows how to sneak around without getting caught.

Aela is at Jorrvaskr, which is in Whiterun. You can ask her to marry you after you finish the questline about the Companions.

Then, if you ask, Aela will move into your house. She can also keep following you after the wedding, so with Aela, you get the best of both worlds.