Table of Contents

What Happens if You Miss Your Wedding in Skyrim? A Dragonborn’s Guide to Averting Disaster

Quick answer

This page answers What happens if I miss my wedding Skyrim? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

So, you’re about to tie the knot in Skyrim, a land of dragons, magic, and…surprisingly strict wedding etiquette. But life as the Dragonborn is hectic! What happens if a dragon attacks, a quest calls, or you simply forget amidst the chaos?

The short answer: If you miss your wedding, you’re in trouble. Missing your wedding in Skyrim carries significant consequences. If you are not present at the Temple of Mara in Riften at the time specified, you will fail the associated quest, and more importantly, severely upset your potential spouse and all the wedding guests. The repercussions are essentially the same as if you had called off the wedding entirely.

But fear not, aspiring spouse! There is a chance for redemption.

The Saving Grace: A Second Chance

Thankfully, Skyrim isn’t completely heartless. If you’ve truly forgotten your vows, you can beg your intended for another opportunity. If you are successful in appeasing them, there will be another ceremony held the following day at the Temple of Mara. This reprieve gives you a precious second chance to make things right.

The Cost of Tardiness

However, don’t get too comfortable. You only have one in-game day to make amends and show up for the rescheduled ceremony. If you dawdle and miss the second wedding too, you’ll face the same consequences as before. The wedding will be permanently canceled, and repairing your relationship with your jilted lover might prove challenging, if not impossible.

Avoiding a Skyrim Wedding Disaster

The best advice is simple: Don’t miss your wedding! Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth ceremony:

Plan Ahead: The time for the ceremony begins roughly 24 hours after you initiate the wedding preparations. Mark it down in your journal, set an alarm, or better yet…
Stay Put: The article suggests that you stay at the Temple of Mara to avoid missing your wedding.
Resist Temptation: Those tempting side quests can wait. Focus on the wedding, then return to your adventuring life as a married hero.
Communicate: Talk to your spouse-to-be beforehand. Understanding their personality and values can help you anticipate any potential problems or dialogue options if you happen to run late.

The Benefits of Marriage in Skyrim

Beyond the role-playing aspect, marriage in Skyrim offers several tangible benefits:

Home-Cooked Meals: Your spouse will prepare meals that provide valuable stat buffs.
Shared Living: You can move into your spouse’s home or have them move into yours.
Financial Gain: Your spouse will open a shop and share profits with you.
Companionship: You’ll have a loyal companion who can fight alongside you.

While missing your wedding can be a setback, remember that Skyrim offers a chance to learn and grow, both in the game and in our understanding of game mechanics and player agency. The design choices that make this mechanic what it is may make a good topic of discussion at the Games Learning Society, as we learn how video games impact teaching and learning. GamesLearningSociety.org

Skyrim Wedding FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the complexities of marriage in Skyrim:

How long do I have to wait for my wedding in Skyrim?

The wedding ceremony takes place approximately 24 hours after you initiate the preparations by informing Maramal at the Temple of Mara that you are interested in getting married.
Can I marry multiple people in Skyrim?

Unfortunately, no. In the vanilla game, you can only be married to one person at a time. Even if your spouse dies, you cannot remarry without mods.
What happens if my spouse dies in Skyrim?

Vanilla Skyrim does not allow you to remarry even if your spouse dies.
Can I divorce my spouse in Skyrim?

There is no divorce option in vanilla Skyrim. The only way to end a marriage is to kill your spouse.
Who are some of the best spouses to marry in Skyrim?

Spouses like Mjoll the Lioness are favored for their moral compass and combat abilities. Others, like Ysolda, are beneficial for their potential to run a successful shop.
Can my spouse have children in Skyrim?

The Dragonborn cannot have biological children. However, you can adopt children through the Hearthfire DLC.
What determines who attends my wedding in Skyrim?

The number of guests depends on your friendship status with various NPCs. The more people you’ve helped, the more likely they are to attend.
Can I marry Serana in Skyrim?

Not without mods. Serana is not a marriageable option in the vanilla game.
Is Lydia a good spouse in Skyrim?

Lydia can be a good choice due to her loyalty and combat skills. However, remember to consider her personality and whether it aligns with your preferences.
Can I sleep in the same bed as my spouse in Skyrim?

Yes, you can sleep in the same bed as your spouse.
What are the benefits of marrying Camilla Valerius?

After marriage, Camilla opens a store and grants you access to her inventory, often including a decent sum of gold.
Are there any NPCs I cannot marry in Skyrim?

Yes, certain NPCs like Jarl Balgruuf, Astrid, and Brynjolf are not marriageable, usually due to their role in the story or voice actor limitations.
How do I reset my marriage in Skyrim?

Without mods, you cannot officially reset your marriage. The closest you can get is to kill your spouse, but even then, you cannot remarry in vanilla Skyrim.
What happens if I wait too long to complete quests in Skyrim?

Most quests in Skyrim do not have time limits. You can wait as long as you like without negative consequences to the quest itself. However, waiting can cause areas to reset and enemies to respawn.
What happens if I don’t choose a side in the Skyrim civil war?

You can remain neutral for a time, focusing on other quests. However, eventually, you’ll need to choose a side to progress the main storyline related to the war.