How to Get Married in Stardew Valley
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Stardew Valley
How to Get Married in Stardew Valley
Tips
Marriage in Stardew Valley is one of the most rewarding long-term goals in the game — not just for the story moments but for the practical farm benefits. Each spouse brings unique perks: Harvey occasionally leaves medicine, Emily gives cloth, Maru crafts gadgets. Choosing a spouse whose gifts complement your playstyle adds genuine value on top of the relationship storylines. Most players get married in Year 1 Fall or Year 2 Spring once they’ve prioritized daily gifting from the start.
⚡ Quick Answer
Step by Step
Reach 10 hearts with any marriageable villager, then give them a Mermaid’s Pendant to propose. The pendant is bought from the Old Mariner on the beach on rainy days for 5,000g — he only appears when it’s raining and you have already upgraded your house once. The wedding takes place three days after the proposal and your spouse moves into your farmhouse.
1
Choose a marriage candidate. There are 12 marriageable villagers: Abigail, Alex, Elliott, Emily, Harvey, Haley, Leah, Maru, Penny, Sam, Sebastian, and Shane. Each has unique schedules, gift preferences, and post-marriage dialogue. Check their liked and loved gifts in the Collections menu to build friendship efficiently.
2
Reach 8 hearts — friendship with marriage candidates caps at 8 hearts until you give them a Bouquet (bought from Pierre’s shop for 200g). Giving the Bouquet raises them to «Boyfriend/Girlfriend» status and unlocks hearts 9 and 10. You must do this before proposing.
3
Upgrade your farmhouse at least once. Robin charges 10,000g and 450 Wood for the first upgrade, which adds a kitchen. This is a requirement for the Old Mariner to appear — he won’t show up until it’s done.
4
Wait for a rainy day and visit the beach. The Old Mariner stands on the east side of the beach beyond the broken bridge — repair the bridge with 300 Wood first if you haven’t already. Buy the Mermaid’s Pendant from him for 5,000g.
5
Give the Mermaid’s Pendant to your chosen villager when they are at 10 hearts. They will accept the proposal and the wedding ceremony happens three days later. After the wedding your spouse moves into your farmhouse and a new room is added for them automatically.
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Give loved gifts twice a week for maximum friendship gain — each loved gift gives +80 friendship points. Birthdays give 8x the normal amount, so never miss a birthday gift. Check the calendar in Pierre’s shop for upcoming birthdays.
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Talk to your candidate every day — daily conversation gives +20 friendship points for free with no item cost. Combined with two weekly loved gifts this is the fastest path to 10 hearts.
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Spouses help on the farm after marriage — they water crops, feed animals, repair fences, and occasionally leave gifts in a chest inside the farmhouse. Each spouse has a unique daily routine and a special outdoor area they build on your farm over time.
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Friendship decays if neglected — talk to your spouse and give occasional gifts to keep their mood high. A spouse at low friendship becomes unhappy and stops helping around the farm. Keep them at 12–14 hearts (marriage unlocks up to 14) for consistent bonuses.