Skyrim: 15 Best Wives To Marry

Skyrim's Aela and Lydia side by side in Skyrim.

By Tamara Garcia , Joanna Koziol , Carrie Lambertsen , Yuliya Geikhman & Lee D'Amato Updated 14 minutes ago Sign in to your ScreenRant account follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The setting of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim may be rather chilly, but the game's best wives can warm the Dragonborn's heart. Out of the 66 total marriage candidates, there are 30 female characters that players can romance, regardless of their in-game gender or race. As such, there are plenty of options for anyone to explore — but 15 in particular stand out as the best wives in Skyrim, thanks to their unique personalities, captivating backstories, and specific gameplay advantages.

Unfortunately, Skyrim's age becomes quite apparent when examining the romance system. Skyrim's marriage system generally feels rather outdated and meaningless, with spouses becoming little more than a source of money and meals for the Dragonborn, rather than having an actual personality.

The immersion that would be gained by having a deeper relationship would greatly add to the game. Certain Skyrim mods attempt to deliver on that concept, but for this list, we'll focus on potential wives in the vanilla game who you'll want to keep around as-is.

15 Jordis the Sword-Maiden

Nord Housecarl Warrior

Jordis is not as popular as her brunette look-alike, Lydia. As a Housecarl warrior, though, she makes an excellent follower. Jordis is a skilled archer who specializes in using Ancient Nord bows, like the Gauldur Blackbow.

Jordis is assigned to the Dragonborn when you become a thane of Solitude, which you can do after gaining a positive reputation in town and completing a few favors for the Jarl, including buying Proudspire Manor. Jordis will spawn there after you've been sworn in.

Like all the other Housecarls of Skyrim, Jordis can be married by presenting her with the Amulet of Mara. She makes a loyal companion and is one of the best wives in the game because of the help she can provide in battle.

14 Ria

Imperial Warrior

Ria is a member of the Companions, the warrior guild of Skyrim. She's an enthusiastic warrior, since she's dreamed of being one since she was a little girl. Ria values the familial atmosphere of the Companions (and, in fact, will continue to call the player "Brother" even after marriage).

You can first meet Ria at Pelagia Farm south of Whiterun, where she'll appear alongside Aela and Farkas fighting a giant. Later, she'll start appearing around Jorrvaskr in Whiterun along with the rest of the Companions.

Although she's a relatively new member of the fighting faction, Ria makes a decent follower and is proficient in dual-wielding blades and heavy armor.

However, the reason that she's so low on the list of the best Skyrim wives is because she has a tendency to disappear and go adventuring on her own. She does return after a few days, as long as she hasn't been killed on her adventures. Ria makes the perfect wife for any adventurer who wants a bit more space.

13 Orla

Nord Priest

This priestess of Dibella is kindhearted and has some strong values fitting of a priestess of the goddess of love, beauty, and art. In fact, trying to steal from her temple will prompt her to hire bounty hunters to catch you in retaliation.

As can be expected, Orla isn't a fighter and will not become a follower of the Dragonborn. She also will not leave the Temple of Dibella in Markarth, which she resides in even after marriage.

However, speaking with her will award the player a daily income, as with other spouses, and she otherwise makes for a pretty interesting and thematically appropriate wife.

12 Shahvee

Argonian Citizen

Don't let Shahvee's lizard-like face be a deterrent, as this Argonian worker makes an excellent wife in Skyrim. Shahvee can be found in Windhelm, where she's worked hard all her life.

Perhaps most interestingly, though, Shahvee is the only Argonian female who can be married in the game, and she's well worth it. Shahvee works as a merchant, and the player can continue to buy and sell items from her after marriage. She'll also open a store post-marriage and provide the player with a small daily income. Talk about a marriage of convenience.

She has one of the most optimistic and lighthearted personalities of all the wives, despite her difficult upbringing. She tells the player that she's learned how to be happy with her lot in life, no matter what life throws at her.

11 Borgakh the Steel Heart

Orc Warrior

Borgakh is an adventurous orc and the daughter of Chief Larak. You'll find her within her father's stronghold at Mor Khazgur, often in Larak's Longhouse. Her choice to marry the Dragonborn follows some soul-searching, as it means turning her back on the path assigned to her, that of marrying an Orc chief.

Borgakh has spent much of her life training so she could provide strength for her betrothed, and as such, she's a useful follower. Upon marriage, she's fully equipped with orc weapons and armor, and knows how to use them.

Surprisingly, Borgakh also knows how to sneak, in spite of all her heavy equipment. This makes her a versatile fighter who's also useful in more delicate circumstances when stealth is required.

10 Jenassa

Dunmer Mercenary Ranger

Being a cold-blooded mercenary who spends her time murdering folk or drinking at the Drunken Huntsman, Jenassa is not for the faint of heart. This dark elf makes it quite clear that killing is her passion — pridefully referring to death as a form of art — but those who are willing to put her violent tendencies aside won't be disappointed.

Jenassa is one of the few marriage candidates who doubles as an active follower, which already gives her an advantage over other wives in Skyrim. She specializes in archery, but can also use a one-handed sword or dagger pretty handily in a pinch.

Jenassa's thirst for blood also means that she's one of even fewer characters who don't have an outright morality system. On one hand, this sounds like a very bad characteristic to have in a spouse, but it also means that she isn't going to judge the main character for any crimes or even murders they commit.

Jenassa is also a willing accomplice to help with crimes when needed, and her unmatched loyalty makes her a good follower in Skyrim, as well as a very helpful wife. If you're a card-carrying member of the Thieves Guild or the Dark Brotherhood, and could do without the extra judgment, she's a great choice of spouse.

9 Ysolda

Nord Merchant

Those who value Jenassa's devotion but are looking for someone a bit less unhinged may be fans of Ysolda, the thrifty merchant from Whiterun.

She dreams of one day owning The Bannered Mare, if not the best trading cart in all of Skyrim, and she works relentlessly towards that goal. You'll usually find Ysolda at the market, or in her house behind Arcadia's Cauldron, unless The Bannered Mare's current owner, Hulda, dies — in that case, Ysolda takes over for her.

Ysolda also demonstrates her good character and considerably more respectable morals through her willingness to trade with the Khajiit, despite their reputation. Her aptitude for business would ensure that there's always food on the table, even when the Dragonborn is off adventuring for days at a time.

She does come with a bit of baggage: she also dabbles in secret Skooma trades on the side. Overall, Ysolda is one of the most intelligent and hard-working wives the Dragonborn could hope for in all of Skyrim.

8 Lydia

Nord Housecarl Warrior

Lydia is often overlooked when considering marriage partners and romance options, as she is often the first follower, companion, and Thane to be unlocked in Skyrim. Lydia is unlocked after becoming the Thane of Whiterun, which, as part of the main story quest "Dragon Rising," most players do long before the other Thane questlines.

Lydia deserves a shot though, as she is incredibly caring, brave, and one of the few romance options to feature unique dialogue and deep conversations to explore. Lydia is willing to risk her life for the Dragonborn on a whim and becomes one of the game's more complex characters once players get to know her.

Like the other Thanes, Lydia is good in a fight, with skills in heavy armor, one-handed weapons, and archery. Plus, Lydia's loyalty can even transcend death in Skyrim, and so her love lasts for several lifetimes (literally).

7 Senna

Breton Priestess Of Dibella

Being an agent of Dibella, Senna is a priestess for the goddess of beauty and love, which makes her an easy pick for one of Skyrim's best wives. After all, she spends her time studying and celebrating the art of romance, and so it's safe to assume that she's likely one of the most passionate and caring characters in all the land.

The player can marry Senna after they complete the "The Heart of Dibella" quest, which can be started as soon as they arrive in Markarth by traveling to the Inner Sanctum of the Temple of Dibella. In this quest, Senna's calm personality and spirituality come to light.

Undoubtedly, Senna's soothing nature would be invaluable to the Dragonborn after a long, stressful night of killing bandits and draugr.

6 Camilla Valerius

Imperial Pawnbroker

It's no secret that Camilla, the co-owner of the Riverwood Trader, has two men adamantly after her heart. But while players can help either Faendal or Sven woo the Nord woman during the quest "A Lovely Letter," there is another option that players could pursue.

Rather than helping either man, the Dragonborn could choose a secret, quite comical, third option that leads to stealing her away for themselves. This makes Camilla one of the few potential wives in Skyrim with which you can actually have a detailed love story, even if it is brief and morally reprehensible.

Since the Riverwood Trader is a booming business, players married to Camilla can enjoy a daily passive income of about 100 gold, the same as other potential spouses. Additionally, they'll also have the pleasure of getting to know Camilla better and hearing about her dreams of becoming an adventurer.

Gaming
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
PC Games

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