You’ve spent all week grinding at the windmills and hoarding high-quality turnips just to make a killing at the Saturday market. Your pockets are heavy with gold, and your bazaar ranking is finally climbing. But Zephyr Town feels a little quiet at night, doesn't it? That’s where the story of seasons grand bazaar marriage candidates come in. Honestly, back when this was still titled Harvest Moon, the marriage system felt like a high-stakes puzzle. It isn't just about handing over a flower every day and calling it a night.
Getting married in this game is a massive commitment that requires more than just a Blue Feather. You’re looking at year-long grinds, specific family friendship requirements, and, in some cases, literally chasing ghosts.
Who Are the Story of Seasons Grand Bazaar Marriage Candidates?
The roster is split right down the middle with five bachelorettes and five bachelors. Each has a distinct personality, but more importantly, each has a specific "family requirement" that catches most new players off guard. You can’t just woo the girl; you’ve gotta woo her dad or her brother too.
The Bachelorettes
- Antoinette: The resident "ice queen" who is actually just an introverted genius. She spends most of her time with her father, Claude, and loves Chocolate Cake. If you want her, you better get used to talking to Claude, too.
- Daisy: She’s basically the sunshine of the hotel. Super friendly, easy to talk to, but marriage is a package deal with her grandparents, Stuart and Ethel. Her favorite? Yellow Curry.
- Freya: The career-oriented city girl. She’s a journalist who moved to Zephyr Town for some peace. She’s one of the few who doesn't have a family requirement, making her "easier" but no less rewarding. She loves Chop Suey.
- Sherry: The mayor’s daughter. She’s sweet, responsible, and very attached to Felix and her friend Lloyd. You’ll need to be tight with Felix to stand a chance. Her go-to gift is Herb Salad.
- Emiko: The "hidden" candidate. She lives behind the waterfall. You won’t even meet her until Year 2, and she’s got a very specific set of rules (more on that in a bit).
The Bachelors
- Ivan: The responsible older brother type. He’s a tutor who is incredibly protective of Dirk. To marry him, you have to be friends with Dirk. No way around it. He loves Herb Tea.
- Dirk: The energetic mailman. He’s Ivan’s younger brother, and the same rule applies: you need to befriend Ivan. He’s obsessed with Cream Stew.
- Lloyd: The mysterious traveler who sells ores at the bazaar. He’s a bit of a loner, but he’s close with Felix and Sherry. He loves Paella.
- Angelo: The artist with a heart of gold. He’s probably the easiest to find since he’s always sketching around town. He loves Omelet Rice.
- Amir: The secret prince. Like Emiko, he’s a special case. He doesn't show up until Winter of Year 1 and leaves every Fall. He loves Stew.
The Hidden Mechanics Nobody Tells You
Most players assume that a Red Heart means you're good to go. Nope. In Grand Bazaar, the heart color is just the beginning.
First off, you cannot get married in Year 1. It doesn't matter if you've given a thousand gifts; the game forces you to wait until Year 2. You also need the Big Bed, which only appears at the bazaar after you’ve upgraded the bazaar's size at least once. It costs 10,000 G, so save up.
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Then there’s the family friendship. This is the silent killer of many marriage proposals. Most candidates require you to have at least 30,000 Friendship Points (FP) with their family members. If you’ve ignored the mayor all year but have been courting Sherry, she’s going to turn you down. It’s brutal.
The Mystery of Emiko and Amir
If you want a challenge, go for Emiko or Amir. These two are "special" candidates.
Emiko is a ghost-like maiden living in a shrine behind the waterfall. To even meet her, you have to walk through the waterfall after 9:00 PM on a sunny day in Year 2. She doesn't have a heart icon. You have to track her friendship in the resident menu. Also, she requires a whopping 120 total gifts before she’ll accept a proposal.
Amir is equally tricky because he literally leaves town. He arrives on the 4th of Winter and leaves on the 1st of Fall every year. If you want to marry him, you have to maximize your time during his stay. The good news? He doesn't have a family requirement since his family is in another country.
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How to Actually Secure a "Yes"
So, you've got the Red Heart (60,000 FP). You've seen all four heart events (Black, Purple, Blue, and Yellow). You've got the Big Bed. Now what?
- The Blue Feather: Stuart and Ethel will eventually give this to you in Year 2 once someone hits an Orange heart.
- Timing the Proposal: Don't try to propose on a festival day or a bazaar day. They’ll just ignore the feather. Choose a normal, sunny day.
- The Wedding: It happens a week after the proposal. If a festival falls on that day, it gets pushed back.
One weird quirk about Grand Bazaar is that there are no rival marriages. In previous games, if you took too long, your crush would marry someone else. Here, they'll wait for you forever. It takes the pressure off, but it also makes the town feel a bit static if you stay single.
Why Some Candidates are Better Than Others
Honestly, it depends on your playstyle. If you want a spouse who helps out, Amir is actually a top-tier choice because he stays in town year-round once you’re married. He stops leaving in the Fall!
On the other hand, marrying Emiko is like a badge of honor. It’s hard. It’s long. But seeing her finally leave that waterfall shrine to live on your farm is a huge flex.
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If you're just starting out, Angelo or Freya are the most "standard" routes. They don't have complicated schedules or demanding families. You can focus on your farm and just pop over to give them a gift whenever you're in town.
Actionable Steps for Your First Spring
If you're looking to lock down one of the story of seasons grand bazaar marriage candidates, you need to start early. Don't wait for the hearts to change.
- Talk every day: Just talking gives a small boost. It adds up.
- Hoard gifts: Even if you can't cook their favorite meal yet, find out what they "like" (150 FP) and give it daily.
- Befriend the family immediately: Start giving gifts to Felix, Claude, or Ivan right now. If you wait until you have a Red Heart with your target, you'll be stuck waiting another year to fix the family friendship.
- Upgrade your bazaar: You need that Big Bed. Sell everything. Don't hoard too many crops in the beginning; you need the cash flow to trigger the bazaar upgrades.
The marriage system in this game is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time, enjoy the festivals, and maybe don't forget to actually water your crops while you're busy chasing a waterfall ghost.