In games like Stardew Valley, one of the most beloved features for players is romancing the NPCs, learning their backstories, and marrying them throughout the game. Progressing your relationship in-game through modern RPGs has become an extremely popular addition to many titles allowing players to roleplay a loving and deep connection with the specific characters who are chosen to allow this sort of interaction.
Marriage candidates within the game don't have gender preferences, however, only 12 NPC can have a romantic relationships. If you haven't seen all of the marriageable characters within the wonderful game of Stardew Valley, check them all out on the Stardew Valley Fandom wiki by sorting by "Marriageable"! When playing multiplayer with friends or loved ones, you can marry them too!
Who Can You Marry in Stardew Valley
As much as you may want to date Robin or the Wizard, they're unfortunately not part of the dating pool in Stardew Valley (at least if you're playing without mods). Fortunately, you have 12 eligible bachelors and bachelorettes that you can date instead. The bachelors you can date are Alex, Elliott, Harvey, Sam, Sebastian, and Shane. The bachelorettes you can date are Abigail, Emily, Haley, Leah, Maru, and Penny.
Step 1: Increase Friendship Level
Once you know who you want to marry, you'll first have to reach 8 hearts with them. This can easily be achieved by talking to them daily, completing requests from them, or giving them gifts. If you're unsure what gifts they like, check out our guide on gift giving here.
Step 2: Get a Bouquet
Once you have 8 hearts with them, it's time for you to take it to the next step and start dating. To show them your interest, you need you gift them a flower bouquet.
Pierre will start selling Bouquets for 200 gold once you have 8 hearts with a bachelor or bachelorette. After unlocking it, buy it from his store and give it as a gift to the person you want to marry. The NPC you give the bouquet to will happily accept and you two will officially be dating; this will unlock an extra 2 relationship hearts (reaching total of 10 instead of the usual 8).
Pro tip: you can date many NPCs at the same time and then pick your favourite to marry once you're ready to tie the knot.
Step 3: Propose
You will need to reach 10 hearts with your beloved before you can propose. Once you do, you will need a Mermaid's Pendant.
How to get the Mermaid Pendant
There are 2 requirements to get a Mermaid's Pendant:
- You must have upgraded your farmhouse at least once.
- You must have repaired the bridge at the East side of the Beach.
If you've completed those two things, then you just have to wait for rain.
On a rainy day (whether it's natural rain or rain from a Rain Totem) go to the beach and head East past the bridge. Look for the Old Mariner, who will usually be hanging around the top part of the area. Talk to them and he will offer to sell you the Mermaid Pendant for 5,000 gold.
This is it, you're finally ready. Buy the Mermaid Pendant and give it to your partner. This is your official proposal; once they accept, your wedding will happen in three days.
Pro tip: Before you go to bed the night before your wedding, make sure to change into your wedding outfit because the wedding ceremony will take place as soon as you wake up. You wouldn't want to go to your wedding wearing your farmer's overalls, right?
Married Life
After the ceremony, your partner will officially move in with you. They'll decorate the East-most room in your house according to their hobbies, and they'll also have a dedicated area outside for their hobbies North-East of your farmhouse.
Every now and then, your spouse will either take care of your animals, take care of your crops, or cook you a meal. You can also give them a little kiss by interacting with them after some dialog. Note that the friendship level cap has been raised to 14 with your spouse so you still have a lot more love to give to them.
How to Have Kids in Stardew Valley
After 7 days of being married and having a relationship level with your spouse of at least 10 hearts, if you've already upgraded your house for the second time and you haven't removed the Crib, then there's a 5% chance per night that your spouse will ask you if you want to have kids. If you say yes, then you will have a new baby in 14 days.
How to Divorce in Stardew Valley
Sometimes things don't work out, and that's alright! If you really want to separate from your spouse, then you can go to the Mayor's Manor and at the top left corner there will be two books. One of them will let you spend 50,000 gold to officially file for divorce.
You have until 10pm the day that you file for divorce to cancel, but if you don't cancel before then, your partner, their room, and their outside area will be gone when you wake up. Unlike breaking up with a boyfriend or a girlfriend, divorce will cause your ex-spouse to only have negative dialog with you and they also won't accept any of your gifts.
From there, you can either enjoy the single life, marry another villager, or wipe your ex's memory by going to the Witch's Hut and offering 30,000 gold. If you go with the last option, it'll be like nothing happened and you can proceed to befriend, date, and marry your ex again.
How to Marry Another Player in Stardew Valley Multiplayer
If you're playing Stardew Valley in Multiplayer mode and you want to ask for the other player's hand in marriage, then that's also possible! To do that, you'll need a Wedding Ring (the Mermaid Pendant won't work for this).
On Friday or Sunday, go to Cindersap Forest and visit the Traveling Cart at the North-West area. There, you'll be able to buy the recipe for the Wedding Ring for 1,000 gold. Aside from the purchase cost, you'll also have to prepare 5 Iridium Bars and 1 Prismatic Shard to craft the Wedding Ring.
Once crafted, simply gift it to the other Player and once they accept, you'll have a wedding ceremony in 3 days.
Looking for more Stardew Valley knowledge?
- Stardew Valley Fishing Guide
- Stardew Valley Gift Guide
- Stardew Valley Coop Benefits - All Things You Can Do in Multiplayer
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