To get married in The Sims 3, two young adult or older Sims need to become a couple with Propose Going Steady, get engaged with Propose Marriage, and then either marry on the spot with a private wedding or throw a wedding party and hold the ceremony there. It all works in the base game, for any gender combination. Below we walk through each stage, the two wedding options, what The Sims 3 Generations adds, and what happens to names and households afterwards.
Step 1: Build a Romantic Relationship
Start with friendly socials, then move to the Romantic category once the Sims get along: Flirt, Compliment Appearance, Hold Hands and similar interactions. As the relationship grows, the two Sims become romantic interests, and more romantic options unlock.
Mood matters. A Sim in a bad mood is more likely to reject romantic moves. Keep both Sims’ needs up and pick a pleasant setting.
When the relationship bar is full and the Sims are romantic interests, Propose Going Steady appears under Romantic. Accepting makes them partners, the boyfriend or girlfriend stage. Our guide to asking someone to be your girlfriend or boyfriend covers this stage in more detail.
Step 2: Propose Marriage
Once the Sims are partners, keep the relationship high and look under Romantic again for Propose Marriage. A successful proposal makes them engaged. A proposal can be turned down if the relationship or the target’s mood is too low, so build it up first rather than trying the moment the option appears.
With Generations installed, the community wiki notes that your Sim can first ask one of the partner’s parents for permission to marry their child. It is optional, but it makes for a good story beat.
Both Sims must be young adults or older to marry. Teens can go steady but cannot get engaged.
Step 3: Choose Your Wedding
Engaged Sims have two ways to finish the job.
Private wedding. Pick the private wedding interaction on the fiance and the two marry on the spot, with no guests and no planning. It is the fastest route.
Wedding party. Use a phone to throw a party and choose the wedding party option, which is only offered while a household member is engaged. Set the time, the venue and the guest list. When the guests have arrived, click the fiance and choose Get Married; the guests gather while the couple exchange vows. Our guide to throwing and cancelling a party explains party setup, including how to back out if plans change. The community wiki notes that the Legendary Host lifetime reward helps a party succeed.
What Generations adds. Per the community wiki, Generations brings a bachelor or bachelorette party before the wedding, wedding arches to marry beneath, a wedding cake the couple cut together, and paid vacation days for both newlyweds afterwards. The wedding can take place at home or on a community lot. Without World Adventures or another travel pack, there is no automatic honeymoon; with one installed, newlyweds can use those vacation days for a trip.
After the Wedding: Names and Households
- Last names. The community wiki says the couple takes the last name of the Sim who proposed. Stepchildren who are teens or younger take it too. If you want a different surname, have the other Sim propose, or change the name afterwards at City Hall, which the community wiki lists as an option.
- Moving in. If the Sims lived apart, the spouse moves into the proposing Sim’s household, per the community wiki. A household holds a maximum of 8 Sims, so make room first. For moving in without marriage, see our guide to asking a Sim to move in.
- Mood and wishes. Getting engaged and getting married both come with positive moodlets and lifetime happiness. The community wiki notes that same-sex and opposite-sex couples receive the same amounts.
Marrying Supernatural and Special Sims
Almost every life state can marry, per the community wiki, but a few need a step first:
- Plumbots (Into the Future) need the Capacity to Love trait chip.
- Imaginary Friends (Generations) must first be made real with the Imaginary Friend Metamorphium potion. Our imaginary friend guide covers that storyline.
- Genies from the Dusty Old Lamp in Showtime must be freed with a wish first. Genies created in Create a Sim with Supernatural installed can marry straight away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can same-sex Sims marry in The Sims 3? Yes. The base game makes no distinction between same-sex and opposite-sex marriages.
Why is Propose Marriage not showing up? The Sims must be partners first (going steady), both must be young adults or older, and the relationship needs to be high. Check that neither is already engaged or married to someone else.
Can I get married without a party? Yes. The private wedding interaction marries an engaged couple instantly, with no guests needed.
Whose last name do they keep? The proposer’s, per the community wiki. Have the other Sim propose if you want the other surname.
How do Sims divorce in The Sims 3? There is no “Divorce” button; the Break Up interaction ends a marriage. The community wiki notes that the Sim who is left takes a large mood and lifetime happiness hit. More relationship guides are on the Sims hub.