Stardew Valley Marriage: Everything You Need To Know

At the core of its gameplay, Stardew Valley is known for its farming simulation with a side of combat. However, the gaming community has also come to cherish the relationship aspect the game has with its wide roster of NPCs. Stardew Valley players are not only able to romance NPCs and other players but also marry them in-game which adds to Stardew Valley’s charm.

You can build good relationships with the various characters around Pelican Town, all with different personalities and appeals. But like in real life, romancing and eventually marrying your chosen love interest isn’t easy.

We’ll help you make things easier to romance your chosen bachelor or bachelorette with our guide on everything you need to know about Stardew Valley Marriage. You’ll find right below the benefits of married life, information about the 12 romanceable characters, and the steps you need to follow that lead up to the wedding ceremony and married life with your chosen character.

What Is Stardew Valley Marriage?

So what is marriage in Stardew Valley? It’s a game mechanic wherein your player character can virtually marry a co-player or villager within the game who is marked as “single” in the Social tab.

But you can’t simply marry a character on the get-go since you’ll have to spend time, effort, and patience within the game to cultivate a good relationship with the villagers of Pelican Town. Each villager has a particular set of loved items that you can gift to easily gain hearts with the villagers you want to get closer to. Conversely, there are hated gifts you must avoid giving to the wrong character so you don’t get negative interactions.

Another thing to note about marriage in Stardew Valley is that you as the player can romance any NPC regardless of your character’s gender identity and dating preferences. However, take note that you can ultimately have one spouse.

Benefits of Married Life

While there seems to be a lot to do to get married in Stardew Valley, you’re probably wondering if getting married is worth it. Well, there are some benefits your character gets upon getting married.

First, your married spouse will move into your farmhouse and get a maximum of 14 hearts instead of 10. If you continue to keep them happy, your partner will start helping around your farm. This includes them possibly making breakfast, feeding animals, repairing your fences, or watering the crops.

Additionally, your partner can change the wallpaper or flooring of the farmhouse or add furniture to a room. Besides that, another wholesome benefit you can get from married life is replenishing your energy bar on the first kiss of the day.

How To Choose A Marriage Candidate?

If you’re convinced by the benefits of entering married life in Stardew Valley, we can now get into learning how to choose from the wide roster of marriage candidates.

There’s really no strategy involved when it comes to choosing a marriage candidate as this only boils down to your personal preferences and gameplay style. Each Stardew Valley romance option has its respective personality, interests, and backstory. You’ll ideally want to marry someone whose traits you like.

On the other hand, if you’re eyeing for convenience, some candidates are easier to gift to others, making it faster to raise friendship. You’ll have to pay attention to favorite items and consistently giving gifts speeds up the process.

With that, you’re equipped with what you need to know when it comes to choosing a partner in Stardew Valley.

Stardew Valley Romance Options

In line with being equipped with the knowledge you need to know, it’s also important to learn about the different love choices the game offers before deciding on whom you’ll focus your time, effort, and energy in wooing in-game. There are 12 villagers who you can romance with 6 bachelors and bachelorettes each with some brief background to their stories, loved items, likes, dislikes, and hated gifts.

Abigail

Considered a fan-favorite within the Stardew Valley community, Abigail’s storyline has a lot of complexity and uniqueness. This has resounded with several Stardew Valley players throughout the years.

Abigail lives with her parents, Pierre and Caroline, and lives at the apartment behind Pierre’s Store. She has a strained relationship with her mom, who often worries about Abigail’s lifestyle. Some things to note about Abigail is that she is friends with Sam and Sebastian and is a drummer for their friend group’s band.

In terms of gifts, she responds to positively, there’s Chocolate Cake, Banana Pudding, Pumpkin, Amethyst, Ancient Sword, Basilisk Paw, and Quartz. While for dislikes, Abigail isn’t in favor of most Fruits, Vegetables, Sugar, Clay, Holly, and Wild Horseradish.

Alex

Next is Alex, an easy-going character. He mainly likes sports and hanging out on the beach.

Though he has an arrogant side to him that’s masked by his self-doubt. For his backstory, he previously lived with his mother before she passed away and has a deep loathing for his father. His journey as a character goes through a lot of self-reflection.

Mainly, Alex reacts positively to Salmon Dinner, a Complete Breakfast, Eggs (except the Frog Egg), and the Field Snack. Then for dislikes, he mainly is aversed to Salmonberry, Wild Horseradish, Any Book (except Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Thick), Holly, and Quartz.

Emily

Full of vibrance, Emily is a go-getter of a character. She’s passionate about making her clothing and has a lot of positivity.

Romancing Emily leads you to a more relaxed and cute experience with a lighter story. You can even get new outfits from her stall at the Desert Festival. Plus, if you marry Emily, she’ll set up a crystal garden where she meditates often.

You can woo Emily with most Minerals such as Amethyst, Aquamarine, Emerald, Jade, Ruby, and Topaz. Additionally, she responds positively to Wool, Cloth, Daffodil, and Quartz. Be mindful, however, with Sashimi, Salmon Dinner, Fish Taco, Maki Roll, Ice Cream, Rice Pudding, and Salmonberry.

Elliott

A writer living on the beach, Elliott dreams of writing a great novel. He’s a romantic who’s also mysterious.

Hoping to get away from the distractions of city life, he hopes to focus on his novel. Elliott is more private than the other bachelors. When not writing, Elliott enjoys a good drink at the Stardrop Saloon. He’s a partner you may want to consider for a more lingering type of romance plot.

To court Elliott, it’s best to gift him Crab Cakes, Lobster, Pomegranate, Any Book, and Fruits. Avoid giving him All Milk, Daffodils, Dandelions, Pizza, Mushroom Plants, Amaranth, Quartz, Salmonberry, Sea Cucumber, and Super Cucumber.

Haley

If you want more of a challenge, Haley takes some time and effort to romance. Coming from a wealthy and popular background, Haley has grown conceited and self-centered, with a tendency to judge people for superficial reasons.

However, there’s more than meets the eye with her as she loves photography and has her dark room. It takes a long time for her to warm up to the player but it’ll be worth it to discover her sweeter side.

Give Haley some Coconut, Fruit Salad, Sunflower, Pink Cake, and Daffodil. When it comes to things Haley dislikes or hates, don’t give her All Vegetables, Milk, Clay, Prismatic Shard, Wild Horseradish, and most Foraging Items

Harvey

An older bachelor choice is Harvey who’s the town doctor. He’s known for his kind heart and respected position in the community.

You’ll notice that during interactions, Harvey is more awkward in his conversations, making some endearing encounters that seem realistic and charming. Another thing to note about his character is that he loves cooking.

Harvey enjoys Coffee, Wine, Truffle Oil, Super Meal, most Foraging Items, and All Fruit (except Salmonberry and Spice Berry). While for dislikes and hated items, he isn’t fond of Nautilus Shell, Coral, and most baked goods.

Leah

Next up is Leah who’s both a talented artist and one with nature. She’s very affectionate and has one of the most heart-gripping storylines. You’ll even learn about Leah’s past relationships as you move forward in courting her.

Leah is more of an independent type, living in a small cottage outside of Pelican Town. If you marry Leah, she gets to build an art studio for painting and sculpting within your house.

Gifting Leah Wine, Goat Cheese, Salad, Stir Fry, Foraging Items, All Eggs (except Void Egg), All Fruit, and Milk will cultivate your relationship with her. However, giving Leah All Foraged Minerals (except Earth Crystal), All Gems (except Diamond and Prismatic Shard), Bread, Pizza, and Pancakes won’t make her respond positively to you.

Maru

With a passion for inventing, Maru lives with her parents Demetrius and Robin, and her half-brother Sebastian. She works for Harvey at his clinic. Maru has some fantastical elements integrated into her backstory, making her an underrated pick.

Other things to note about Maru are that she’s friendly, outgoing, and ambitious. She hopes that the clinic can gain more patients.

Ideally, give Maru a Battery Pack, Gold Bar, Diamond, Cauliflower, Pepper Poppers, Magma Cap, Morel, Quartz, and Radioactive Ore among other things. But be sure to not give her a Blackberry, Common Mushroom, Maple Syrup, Honey, Holly, Snow Yam, and Truffle.

Penny

Living with her mom, Pam, Penny quietly tends to her chores. She’s shy and modest, simply dreaming of starting a family. On most days, Penny takes Vincent and Jas around the town square or to the library.

Pam has quite an intriguing backstory, getting anxious about the rumors of her climbing trees before. Additionally, Penny has a somewhat strained relationship with her mother. Marrying Penny will give you a simple yet wholesome new life.

You can find Penny to enjoy receiving a Diamond, Emerald, Poppy, Melon, Dandelion, and Leek. For things she doesn’t like and hates, Penny won’t respond well to items such as Beer, wine, Grape, Rabbit’s Foot, Algae Soup, Quartz, Red Mushroom, and Wool.

Sam

Outgoing and friendly, Sam is full of brightness and energy. He has a lot of ambitions, however, he stresses over the impending return of his father. Plus, he feels responsible for caring for his little brother, Vincent.

Sam works part-time at JojaMart and in his free time, he plays the guitar. He also has a band with Abigail and Sebastian. Then on weekends, he’s found playing pool at the Stardrop Saloon.

Sam is fond of Cactus Fruit, Maple bar, Pizza, Joja Cola, and All Eggs (except Void Egg). Then for dislikes and hated gifts, he reacts negatively to most Foraging Items, Seaweed, Bone Fragment, Cinder Shard, Coal, Mining Ores, Pickles, and Refined Quartz.

Sebastian

Another challenging marriage candidate to court, Sebastian is known to be a rebellious loner who lives in his parents’ basement. As mentioned earlier, he’s Maru’s half-brother overshadowed by her success and skill.

Initially, Sebastian tends to get deep into his work, computer games, and novels and will spend a lot of time pursuing his hobbies. While he seems withdrawn to most people, he has a soft heart.

Make your way into Sebastian’s heart by giving him Obsidian, Frozen Tear, Pumpkin Soup, Void Egg, Combat Quarterly, Monster Compendium, and Quartz. But be sure to avoid gifting him Foraging plants and flowers, Clay, Complete Breakfast, Farmer’s Lunch, Omelet, and Pina Colada.

Shane

The last bachelor you can potentially marry is Shane. His story is quite tragic as he suffers from depression and alcoholism. But over time, his attitude starts to change when you choose to befriend him.

Shane often spends his days working at JojaMart. His character development takes a long while and has hard-hitting emotional scenes in the playthrough.

If you’re up for the challenge, you can court Shane by giving him Beer, Hot Pepper, Pizza, All Eggs (except Void Egg), and All Fruit. For things Shane doesn’t favor, he isn’t fond of most Foraging items, Pickles, Quartz, and Seaweed.

How To Get Married In Stardew Valley?

In getting married, you must first establish a platonic relationship with your chosen partner.

Here’s a step-by-step process on how you can establish a relationship with your chosen partner, advance to a marriage ceremony, and start a new life with your spouse.

Step #1: Increase Your Friendship Level

When increasing your friendship level, you must talk to your chosen bachelor or bachelorette regularly, give gifts, complete quests, and other things. This will raise the heart level of a character. The status of this can be found on the Social tab of the game.

When it comes to giving gifts to your chosen NPC, you can give up to two gifts per week, and an extra gift on their birthday. Birthday gifts count for 8 more times the typical friendship points you get.

You’d have to get your friendship up to eight hearts then receive a letter from Pierre. He’ll say that it’s a local tradition to give bouquets to indicate romantic interest, leading to the next step.

Step #2: Give Your Romance Option A Bouquet

You can purchase a bouquet from Pierre’s shop for 600g. Upon giving the bouquet to your chosen marriage candidate, they will be listed as your “boyfriend” or “girlfriend.” The two grayed-out hearts in the Social tab will also open up, giving them a total of 10 hearts to cultivate.

Take note that you as the player can have multiple boyfriends or girlfriends. However, dating all the bachelors or bachelorettes at once may result in getting a cutscene that will call the player out.

If you do become married later on and give a bouquet to another NPC, this will upset your spouse.

Step #3: Propose To Your Romance Option

As you reach 10 hearts with your chosen spouse and are playing during rainy days, an NPC called the Old Mariner will appear on the Beach. Make sure you upgrade the Farmhouse for this step.

The Old Mariner will offer to sell you a Mermaid’s Pendant. In line with Stardew Valley’s traditions, the pendant symbolizes an engagement ring for a marriage proposal. This can be purchased for 5,000g.

Once you purchase this pendant, you can then give the pendant to your intended spouse like in regular gift-giving. Your intended spouse will then agree to marry you.

Step #4: Get Married

After proposing, you’ll then receive a cutscene three days after your proposal for your wedding ceremony in the town square.

Once this is over, you and your new spouse will appear on the Farmhouse porch at 6:00 AM to start the first day of married life together.

Step #5: Enjoy Married Life

During your marriage with your spouse, they’ll then start helping with your farm chores. At times, they will also give you presents that range from food to resources. Furthermore, you’ll be able to enjoy the other benefits of married life as mentioned previously.

In married life, you can also have children. But this only happens if you have upgraded the Farmhouse for the second time which adds the nursery. You can either have or adopt a child.

Other Things To Note About Marriage In Stardew Valley

While marriage in Stardew Valley seems a lot of fun, some challenges come with it. This includes dealing with a Messy House if objects are obstructing the paths your spouse takes when walking. You’ll get side comments from them about it.

Another feature that comes with marriage is Divorce. You can visit the Mayor’s Manor to get the option to divorce your spouse. A divorce costs 50,000g. Then once you file for divorce, your spouse, spouse’s room, and unique outside room will be gone the next morning. Plus, their friendship level will return to 0 hearts. Your former spouse’s name will then indicate “Ex.”

When getting married, be sure to make the right choice on whom you’ll cultivate a relationship with. It takes a whole lot of effort to court any villager in Stardew Valley.

Just like any meaningful relationship, you’ll need to invest in understanding their likes, dislikes, and quirks. Ultimately, the journey of marriage boils down to the choices we make and the commitment to nurture those connections. So, choose wisely, and remember that building a strong bond is always worth the effort.