Best Husbands In Skyrim (& How To Marry Them)

Key Takeaways

• Gamers can settle down in Skyrim by marrying a variety of male characters, each with unique quests and perks to offer as spouses.
• From blacksmiths to mercenaries, players can choose from a diverse selection of potential husbands throughout the vast world of Skyrim.
• One must obtain an Amulet of Mara and complete specific quests to unlock the option to marry characters like Octieve San or Vilkas in the game.

If players are looking to finally settle down and find love in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, they might be a bit surprised by how many options they have to choose from. So long as they have the Amulet of Mara, pretty much anyone whose trust they have gained will be willing to get married to the Dragonborn and settle down.

While who the player settles down with is a personal choice, there are a few husbands in particular that are recommended picks as the Dragonborn’s life-long partner. The best husbands in Skyrim are fun to interact with and boast great combat abilities that make them reliable followers. The marriage system in Skyrim may feel rather threadbare, but players won’t mind as long as they get to interact with Skyrim‘s male marriage options and interact with the best of the bunch.

Updated on November 29, 2024, by Gerardo Molina: Skyrim is full of possibilities and options for players to explore as they progress through the game. Whether it is the wide range of weapons and armor players can take advantage of, the hundreds of side quests NPCs are ready to give out, or the various potential romantic relationships at their disposal, there’s always something new to discover.

Marriage isn’t easy, even in video games. To court their potential husbands, players will have to make an effort and do certain things for them to gain their favor, and ultimately, their hearts. While some husbands are a bit more interesting than others, they can all offer wonderful companionship and other perks related to making a home.

How To Get Married In Skyrim

The first step to getting married in Skyrim is to speak with Maramal in Riften. When players first enter the city, they can find him preaching at the Bee and Barb Inn. He can be approached for some additional information about the Temple of Mara. After finishing the conversation, the Dragonborn can get married in the temple.

On top of Maramal’s blessing, an Amulet of Mara is required as well. The Amulet of Mara can be purchased from Maramal as well, though it will cost 200 gold. Alternatively, it can be found pretty commonly in random loot or received as a reward at the end of the Book of Love quest from Dinya Balu. Dinya is a quest-giver found at the Temple of Mara in Riften.

27 Octieve San

Requirement: Help Him Pay Off His Debts

• Location: Usually near the Winking Skeever in Solitude
• Related Quest: None

There’s something about helping out a man down on his luck that will entice any player to try and aid someone. Such is the case with Octieve San, a man who is insecure about his age and drowns out his worries with alcohol. However, things don’t stop here — he also gambles heavily to the point of racking up a huge debt and putting himself in harm’s way.

Thankfully, the altruism of the Dragonborn can help him pay off his debts, allowing him to repay the favor by teaching players how to wield a two-handed weapon properly. If players form a bond with this character while performing this simple act of kindness, then they can also go the extra mile and marry him, which makes for an interesting Skyrim male marriage option.

Curiously enough, while Octieve San is a Breton, his daugther, Evette San, is actually a Nord, which has many implications, including that Evette’s mother might be a Nord, that Octieve isn’t her biological father, or even that this was a minor oversight by the developers. In any case, it’s a fun fact that every Skyrim fan should know.

26 Cosnach

Requirement: Defeat Him In A Brawl

• Location: The Silver-Blood Inn, Markarth
• Related Quest: None

Lack of work can send people down a dark path, and such is the case with Cosnach. This character is up for any task that is asked of him, but his job as a porter isn’t all that taxing and leaves him with a lot of free time. So, it’s no surprise that he can usually be found ingesting a ton of alcohol in the Silver-Blood Inn.

Given his need for gold, he can be goaded into a brawl where the winner earns 100 gold. If players beat him to a pulp, then they will have somehow gained his approval and can ask if he wants to marry them. It’s an odd way to tie the knot with one of Skyrim‘s male marriage options, but events like these just add to the enduring charm of the game.

Even if players marry Cosnach, they can still give him a drink, which means the option never disappears, regardless of Cosnach’s relationship with the Dragonborn.

25 Wilhelm

Requirement: Complete “Lifting The Shroud”

• Location: The Vilemyr Inn, Ivarstead
• Related Quest: Lifting the Shroud

Wilhelm is an innkeeper who is pretty engaging to talk to, giving the quest Lifting the Shroud if the player asks for any information. This allows players to explore Shroud Hearth Barrow, which is a pretty unique dungeon in the game.

Completing this quest leads to Wilhelm being unlocked as a potential romance option. He’s a pretty normal guy and a fun person to end up with if the player wants a marriage with an innkeeper who knows what’s what.

24 Sorex Vinius

Requirement: Deliver Stros M’Kai Rum To Falk Firebeard At The Blue Palace

• Location: The Winking Skeever, Solitude
• Related Quest: None

A merchant from Solitude who works at the Winking Skeever, Sorex Vinius has some great stories of his own that players can hear if they interact with him. Marrying him is a pretty simple affair, which may turn some people off the idea of ending up with him.

He will ask the player to deliver Stros M’Kai Rum kegs to Falk Firebeard at Blue Palace. Aside from earning money, the Dragonborn also forms a bond with Sorex Vinius for completing this menial task that can lead to a flourishing marriage.

There are so many different layers to unpack when it comes to Sorex Vinius, as he seems to be a bit of a demanding husband. Funnily enough, if players are married to him and have Heartfire installed, Vinius will seem displeased with every house he’s moved into except for Proudspire Manor in Solitude. Talk about having high standards.

23 Gat Gro-Shargakh

Requirement: Liberate Kolskeggr Mine

• Location: Kolskeggr Mine, The Reach
• Related Quest: None

Kolskeggr Mine is an area that is overrun by the Forsworn, and players are given a task by Pavo Attius to liberate the mine. The Forsworn are tough opponents but should be easy pickings for the player if they’ve spent their fair share of time exploring the world and leveling up.

Liberating the mine causes one of the miners, Gat Gro-Shargakh, to become fond of the player. Marrying him allows players to get some profits from his shop, although gamers should always try to empty the cave of any Forsworn whenever they happen to respawn.

If Gat dies at some point during the game, players will receive a Letter of Inheritance given to them by a courier, which comes accompanied by a sum of gold that, while not enough to alleviate the pain in the Dragonborn’s heart, might still be put to good use to buy items or anything else.

22 Filnjar

Requirement: Complete “Mine Or Yours”

• Location: Shor’s Stone, The Rift
• Related Quest: Mine or Yours

It seems that clearing mines of enemies is a great way to attain a hand in marriage. Such is the case with Filnjar, the blacksmith of Shor’s Stone, who asks the player to clear Redbelly Mine of frostbite spiders.

Being married to a blacksmith is certainly convenient for players who want to repair their weapons properly without having to invest points in the same. Filnjar is a pretty rugged husband that players should seek out if they are fond of smithing.

21 Sondas Drenim

Requirement: Deliver His Note To Quintus Navale

• Location: Goldenrock Mine, Darkwater Crossing.
• Related Quest: None

The idea of doing a Radiant Quest to gain a possible husband may sound like a cheap way to marry someone. However, for what it’s worth, players who want to marry a Dunmer can do so by fulfilling a favor for Sondas Dremin.

All they have to do is take his note and deliver it to Quintus Navale. Doing this ensures that players can ask for Sondas’ hand in marriage if they wish, though he is far from the best husband in Skyrim.

20 Athis

Requirement: Complete “Glory of the Dead”

• Location: Jorrvaskr, Whiterun
• Related Quest: Glory Of The Dead (must join Companions)

It’s a rarity to see a Dunmer in a warrior faction like the Companions, but Athis is living proof of the fact that it can happen. He’s the only Dunmer in the Companions and is seen engaging in a brawl as soon as the Dragonborn enters Jorrvaskr for the first time.

Athis, like most regular Companion followers, is a great option as a follower for the first 25 levels of the game. The bonus of having him as a spouse is that he provides One-Handed skill training. To marry him, the player needs to finish the Companion quest line fully and become the Harbinger.

19 Belrand

Requirement: Hire For 500 Gold

• Location: Winking Skeever, Solitude
• Related Quest: None

Belrand might not be the best-looking spouse in the game, but he makes up for it with his level cap of 40. He’ll serve the Dragonborn well for these first 40 levels and is particularly resilient since he uses a combination of spells and sword skills to outwit his enemies.

Belrand also shows a rare degree of personality through his dialogue and commentary, making him great company. To marry him, he needs to be hired for 500 gold as a mercenary. After that, he can be married if players have the Amulet of Mara.

18 Gregor

Requirement: Complete “Thane Of The Pale”

• Location: Dawnstar
• Related Quest: Become Thane of the Pale (requires the Hearthfire DLC)

Gregor is another housecarl in the game, and his specialty lies mostly in Heavy Armor and One-Handed combat skills. In order to recruit him and eventually marry him, the Dragonborn should become the Thane of the Pale by running jobs for the Jarl in Dawnstar.

Gregor is a strong one as a spouse. His level cap is at 50, so he’ll last the player for ideally half of their game or more, depending on how long it takes them to complete all quests and DLC in Skyrim. He’s a great choice, even if he’s just a simple housecarl and might lack a bit of personality.

17 Halbarn Iron-Fur

Requirement: Complete “Retaking Thirsk” And “Halbarn’s Supplies”

• Location: Solstheim
• Related Quests: Retaking Thirsk, followed by Halbarn’s Supplies (requires the Dragonborn DLC)

Players can travel to Solstheim to meet Halbarn Iron-Fur, a spouse who won’t disappoint. He’s extremely strong and knowledgeable about all things blacksmithing. In fact, once all quests related to him are done, he becomes a pretty decent merchant to visit regularly.

Halbarn can also be married, but this requires two entire quests to be completed. The Thirsk must be retaken from the rieklings, after which he requires the Dragonborn to get him 10 stalhrim ingots and 15 ebony ingots. It’s all worth it, however, since his level cap is extremely high at 60.

16 Calder

Requirement: Complete “Thane Of Eastmarch”

• Location: Hjerim, Windhelm
• Related Quest: Become The Thane Of Eastmarch

Calder is another housecarl in the game, and while housecarls can seem a little lifeless and boring, he has a pretty unique appearance compared to so many other housecarls and human NPCs in the game, which significantly sets him apart.

Calder’s level is capped at 50 in true housecarl fashion, so he’ll serve as a follower and spouse for just over the first half of the game. He’s not the easiest housecarl to get, however, since achieving Thane status involves rubbing elbows with Ulfric (if the Civil War questline hasn’t been resolved), buying Hjerim (one of the more expensive homes in Skyrim), and doing several minor quests around Windhelm. Only the player can decide if he’s worth all that effort.

15 Scouts-Many-Marshes

Requirement: Talk To Torbjorn Shatter-Shield About The Argonian Dock Workers

• Location: Windhelm Docks
• Related Quest: Argonian Dock Workers

There aren’t that many husbands in Skyrim that are Argonians, but even among the few, Scouts-Many-Marshes takes the spot as the best one. He’s very much a peace-loving character, and he can be found outside of Windhelm, right by the river.

He’s a blacksmith by trade, but he can’t be hired as a follower as he’s only level 4 and has the blacksmith character type. However, what does make him valuable is the fact that he can offer training in the Light Armor skill, so players who specialize in this category might find him a particularly useful spouse to have. After speaking to him for the first time and helping him with a quest, he can be asked to marry the Dragonborn.

14 Stenvar

Requirement: Hire For 500 Gold

• Location: Candlehearth Hall, Windhelm
• Related Quest: None

Looking for a spouse who’s not afraid of a fight? Head over to Windhelm’s Candlehearth Hall. In the upstairs area at the last table, the Dragonborn will be able to find an old and seasoned mercenary named Stenvar, who can be hired for 500 coins.

He has a decent level cap of 40, so he’ll serve the Dragonborn well as a follower and spouse for the first 40 levels of the game. After that, he’s best left at home to tend to the shop. The cool part is that he can also become a member of the Blades if invited, and no special quest is needed to marry him.

13 Marcurio

Requirement: Hire For 500 Gold

• Location: Bee and Barb, Riften
• Related Quest: None

Not many capable mages want to devote their life to a spouse, but Marcurio is the exception to this rule. He can be found at the Bee and Barb Inn over at Riften, and he’ll often be sitting on the first-floor bench, on the left side of the bar counter. He’s a mercenary with a hiring price of 500 coins.

Marcurio’s level cap is decent as well, and he’ll level until 40 with the Dragonborn, making him a fairly strong follower in the first half of the game. He can join the Blades and is well versed in the school of Destruction magic, making him a great damage dealer but squishy when paired with another ranged fighter.

12 Vorstag

Requirement: Hire For 500 Gold

• Location: Silver-Blood Inn, Markarth
• Related Quest: None

Vorstag is another mercenary found in Skyrim. His home is the Silver-Blood Inn over in Markarth, and he can be easily recognized by his Nordic armor and flashy war paint. Vorstag has a typical hiring rate of 500 gold coins, similar to all the other mercenaries in the game.

His level will also get capped at 40, which means that, towards higher levels, he’s usually best left at home rather than traveled with. Vorstag can be married almost instantly without doing any quests, and like many of the mercenaries, he’s also a candidate for joining the Blades. His warrior character type makes him a pretty decent follower for any ranged character, as he specializes in heavy armor.

11 Torvar

Requirement: Complete “Glory Of The Dead”

• Location: Jorrvaskr, Whiterun
• Related Quest: Glory Of The Dead (must join the Companions)

Torvar is not the easiest one to deal with. A member of the Companions, he’s initially quite nice but becomes a tad jealous as the Dragonborn surpasses him in the ranks of the guild. That being said, he can be married once the Companions’ quest Glory of the Dead has been completed.

Torvar is a typical Nord warrior. He’s skilled in one-handed, despite his love for two-handed weapons like hammers and axes. Above all, Torvar is a lover of all things alcoholic and will often talk about drinking and getting drunk. But hey, for some Dragonborns, he just might be the one and only.

10 Revyn Sadri

Requirement: Find Viola’s Gold Ring

• Location: Gray Quarter, Windhelm
• Related Quest: That Was Always There

Head over to Windhelm’s Gray Quarter, an area where Dunmer live in poverty and separation from the rest of Windhelm’s citizens. Players will find Revyn’s shop there and discover that he’s a hardworking and principled salesman who dislikes thieves.

In fact, he dislikes thieves so much that he’ll give players the task of returning a golden ring to Viola Giordano since he thinks it’s a stolen item. If the player stealthily returns the ring, he will be available for marriage and will reward them with some Speech training, but if the player hands Viola the ring face to face, Revyn’s shop will face higher taxation, and he will dislike the Dragonborn for it.

9 Roggi Knot-Beard

Requirement: Find His Ancestral Shield

• Location: Steamscorch Mine or Braidwood Inn, Kynesgrove
• Related Quest: Fing Roggi Knot-Beard’s Ancestral Shield

There’s nothing tremendously special about Roggi, but he’s a hardworking and honest man. Players can find him at Kynesgrove, working at the Steamscorch Mine and occasionally at Braidwood Inn at nighttime.

Upon meeting him, he’ll share a fascinating story about how an ancestor of his founded Kynesgrove but met an unfortunate fate inside a cave and lost his shield. Roggi will then send players off to find this fabled ancestral shield and return it to him, after which he’ll be available as a marriage candidate.

8 Ghorbash The Iron Hand

Requirement: Pay His Dowry Or Persuade Him To Leave

• Location: Dushnik Yal
• Related Quest: None

Should the player wish to marry an orc, that’s possible, too. Travel to the Orc Stronghold of Dushnik Yal near Markarth, and the player will be introduced to Ghorbash there. He’s a former exile of his kind, but he misses adventuring out into the wild.

However, since orcs usually cannot leave their people as that would dishonor them, he needs to be persuaded in order to be taken along for the journey. Alternatively, players can brawl with him, and if they win, he’ll come along as a follower, after which players can marry him.