[Top 6] Stardew Valley Best Wife - Who To Marry

Updated:

14 Dec 2022

While it’s not something you have to do, befriending, dating, and eventually marrying one of the 12 marriage candidates is a feature to look forward to in Stardew Valley. With the bachelors and bachelorettes varying in looks and personalities, there’s someone out there for everyone. When it comes to the potential wives, though, you want to make sure you’re picking someone you’ll match with. Here, I’ve compiled a list of who I think is the best woman to marry in Stardew Valley, starting from my least favorite to the best.

6. Haley

Portrait off Stardewy Valley's Haley

Haley is at the bottom of my list solely because of our first encounter with her. The first time you talk to her, she calls you ugly to your face. Not cool. Since then, I avoid even looking at her if I can control it. Every time I mention that I refuse to give Haley the time of day, people tell me that she gets better, and I do believe them. But first impressions are important, and Haley definitely failed that test. Maybe one day I’ll stop pouting over her constantly ignoring me and laughing at my outfits and give her another chance.

Haley Pros

She’s drop-dead gorgeous. Seriously. Her portrait is one of the only ones I really like.
She really does come around once you get to know her. I complain and tease, but once she drops the act, she can be pretty cool.
Her gifts aren’t hard to get. She likes daffodils and loves coconuts.

Haley Cons

Her attitude. Truly, that first impression is terrible.
Her personality; at least at first. She’s snotty, spoiled, and hard to please.
It takes a while for her to start being kind to you, so you’ll have to put up with verbal abuse for quite some time.

Choose Haley if…

You like the idea of having to win over the “spoiled brat.”
You want to watch her grow personality-wise.
You just want the prettiest wife…no shame in that.

5. Maru

Portrait off Stardewy Valley's Maru

Maru is often overlooked as she lives up in the mountains and is usually either working with Harvey in his clinic, doing research with her father, or working on a new invention in her room. She’s an intelligent woman who is passionate about her work, and if you can get past her overbearing father, she’s wonderful to date.

Maru Pros

There’s something sweet about how dorky she can be.
Her passion about her inventions and projects is extremely admirable.
Her intelligence is another admirable aspect…and she’s adorable!

Maru Cons

Her gifts aren’t the easiest to obtain, as some of her favorites are battery packs and strawberries.
Her father may turn you off immediately—he’s in the first heart event and can be kind of scary.
Some may see that she keeps to herself at first, and may not like that too much.

Choose Maru if…

You like a little challenge (in terms of gift giving, anyway).
You’re willing to be just as passionate about her projects as she is.
You wouldn’t mind having an excitable yet socially awkward person in your life.

4. Abigail

Portrait off Stardewy Valley's Abigail

Abigail is a relatable, adventurous, and all-in-all interesting woman and spouse. She’s a fan favorite, and while she isn’t mine, I still can’t deny that there’s something to love about Abigail. Her heart events are fun and interactive, and she’s overall fun to hang around with.

Abigail Pros

To reiterate, her heart events are fun! For one, you get to actually play a game with her.
She’s a quirky rock girl who some might say likes rocks a little too much… (if you know you know).
Her life story is quite interesting if you read between the lines.

Abigail Cons

She can be a little snappy at times, but then again, who isn’t?
Some people are weirded out by the fact that she canonically eats rocks.
Some people may say she’s overrated, but that’s up to you to decide.

Choose Abigail if…

You’re down for a fun adventure, both in her personality and her story.
You want to marry someone you’ll definitely be able to relate to.
You like spunky looking characters. She’s great.

3. Leah

Portrait off Stardewy Valley's Leah

Leah is a creative, artsy woman who lives in the woods…what more can one ask for? She’s cool, independent, and affectionate through her art in some of the sweetest ways possible. Her heart events reveal a lot about her past, including an ex, and it’s fun getting to know all sides of her.

Leah Pros

Her heart events offer more dynamic choices.
Her gifts are extremely easy. She’ll take just about any foragable you have…including driftwood.
Her artistic side and love of nature align perfectly with your farm life.

Leah Cons

She can be kind of hard to run into if you don’t know her schedule that well.
While she’s affectionate, sometimes it doesn’t feel like there’s much romance.
Her backstory may bore you.

Choose Leah if…

You’ve always fantasized about living in a cottage in the woods with your one true love (This doesn’t technically happen since she moves in with you, but if you use your imagination…).
You love art just as much as she does!
Nature makes your soul flutter.

2. Emily

Portrait off Stardewy Valley's Emily

Emily has such an out-there personality that people just can’t help but find themselves intrigued. She’s energetic, funny, kind, and is always unapologetically herself. Conversations with her are natural and easy-going, and you’ll always find yourself learning something or feeling more at peace. She’s also quite crafty and loves to make clothes.

Emily Pros

Her heart events are as sweet as she is.
She comes with a pet bird!
Her personality outshines even the brightest star.

Emily Cons

Her bubbly personality may be too much for certain people!
She isn’t the easiest to please with gifts.
She sometimes doesn’t seem like the most fleshed-out character. She’s sweet, yes, but there isn’t much more than that.

Choose Emily if…

You’re ready for constant energy and optimism
You want to own a cute little bird after marrying your cute wife
Enjoy the idea of designing clothes just as much as her

1. Penny

Portrait off Stardewy Valley's Penny

Penny was one of the first spouses I married, and I found myself doing it again and again. I know people may disagree with this, but she’s a sweet woman who loves teaching the kids of Pelican Town. Though she comes with some trauma and is initially very closed off and anxious, getting to know her is a pleasure.

Penny Pros

She’s dedicated to giving children an education.
There’s a lot to her heart events, and there are certain things you can do for her in the future that feel meaningful as her spouse.
She’s always happy to have more serious conversations and think about life, if you're into that sort of thing.

Penny Cons

Sometimes she can come off as the “damsel in distress” who needs saving from her mother, which isn’t for everyone.
She has serious conversations and thinks a lot about life…sometimes people don’t like that.
Sometimes her anxiety can be overwhelming, especially if you deal with anxiety yourself.

Choose Penny if…