Before diving into recommendations, remember these two essential steps:
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Wear the Amulet of Mara: Purchase it from Priestess Boethiah at the Temple of Mara in Riften, or obtain it through a quest.
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Gain Their Favor: Typically by completing a small task or defeating a specific enemy for them.

I. For the Pragmatist: The Merchant Spouses
These spouses provide a stable daily income, ideal for players focused on amassing wealth.
| Candidate | Location | Advantages & Reasons to Marry | How to Win Their Heart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ysolda | Whiterun, The Bannered Mare | The best merchant spouse. After marriage, she runs a general goods stall outside your home, granting you 100 gold daily (the highest in the game) and acts as a merchant with unlimited gold for trading. | Complete her small quest “The Rare Gift” by retrieving a Mammoth Tusk for her. |
| Balimund | Riften, The Scorched Hammer | A reliable blacksmith spouse. He will run a forge and provide a share of his profits daily after marriage. | Help him by bringing him 10 Fire Salts for his forge to complete his quest. |
| Sylgia | Shor’s Stone, Mine | A miner who will share her daily earnings with you. A simple, practical choice. | Complete the quest for the Jarl of Windhelm or help clear the mine of spiders. |
II. For the Warrior: The Combat Companion Spouses
If you want a partner who can fight by your side, choose one of these capable warriors.
| Candidate | Location | Advantages & Reasons to Marry | How to Win Their Heart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mjoll the Lioness | Riften, The Bee and Barb | One of the strongest warrior spouses. She is essential (cannot be killed), uses a two-handed sword, and is a formidable fighter. She can still be recruited as a follower after marriage. | Complete her quest “Grimsever’s Return” by retrieving her sword from Mzulft. |
| Uthgerd the Unbroken | Whiterun, The Bannered Mare | A tough, heavy-armor warrior available early. She can become a follower and spouse. | Win a brawl against her. |
| Aela the Huntress | Jorrvaskr, Whiterun | A top-tier archer and follower. As a Companion, she is an expert in archery and stealth. Perfect for ranged combat players. | Progress through the Companions questline and complete her specific tasks. |
III. For the Perfectionist: The Trainer Spouses
After marriage, you can effectively train with them for “free” by getting your gold back through the shared finances.
| Candidate | Location | Advantages & Reasons to Marry | Trainable Skill (Level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aela the Huntress | Jorrvaskr, Whiterun | An expert archer and werewolf. A powerful follower and spouse. | Archery (up to 75) |
| Farkas | Jorrvaskr, Whiterun | A skilled heavy armor warrior from the Companions. | Heavy Armor (up to 90) |
| Vilkas | Jorrvaskr, Whiterun | Farkas’s brother, a master of two-handed weapons. | Two-Handed (up to 90) |
IV. For Role-Players: Unique & Popular Choices
| Candidate | Location | Advantages & Reasons to Marry | How to Win Their Heart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serana | Dawnguard DLC | The most popular companion, but cannot be married in the vanilla game. She has the most developed personal story. Requires the “Marriable Serana” mod. | (Mod required) |
| Lydia | Dragonsreach, Whiterun | Your first Housecarl. A sentimental favorite for many players. Marrying her feels like a natural progression of her oath. | Become Thane of Whiterun (complete “Dragon Rising”). |
| Senna | Temple of Dibella, Markarth | A priestess of Dibella, offering a unique role-playing opportunity. | Complete the “The Heart of Dibella” quest. |
Final Awards & Summary
| Award | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Best for Economy | Ysolda | Consistent 100 gold daily income and a convenient merchant. The top choice for a stable household. |
| Best for Combat | Mjoll the Lioness | A powerful, unkillable two-handed warrior who provides immense security in battle. |
| Best All-Rounder | Aela the Huntress | An excellent archer follower who can also train your Archery skill. Beauty and brawn combined. |
| Best for Sentiment | Lydia | “I am your sword and shield, and your wife.” Her loyalty and familiarity are unmatched. |
| Fan Favorite (Modded) | Serana | Her deep storyline and unique personality make her the number one choice for players using mods. |
Final Recommendation:
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If you want wealth: Choose Ysolda.
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If you need a fighter: Choose Mjoll the Lioness or Aela the Huntress.
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If you want skill training: Choose the corresponding trainer spouse.
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If you value story and character: Experience Serana’s journey in the Dawnguard DLC (with a mod) or make things official with Lydia.
Remember, traveler, marriage is a sacred rite of Mara. Whomever you choose, may your household be warm and your coin purse ever full

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