Introduction
This Tomodachi Life relationships and marriage guide explains everything about love on your island. Miis can develop crushes, confess their feelings, date, get engaged, and marry regardless of gender. The new game finally includes same-sex relationships, a feature fans demanded for years.
Understanding how romance works helps you create the dramatic soap opera you want. By the end of this guide, you will know how to spark love between any two Miis and what to do when hearts get broken.
How Relationships Develop – The Complete Cycle
Relationships in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream follow a natural progression. Here is the entire cycle:
| Stage | What Happens | Player Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Crush | Mii develops feelings for another | None (automatic) |
| Confession | Mii asks you to deliver a love letter | Choose to help or ignore |
| Dating | Miis become a couple | Can give gifts to boost love |
| Engagement | One Mii proposes | Watch the cutscene |
| Wedding | Ceremony on the island | Plan the event |
| Married Life | Couple lives together | Can have babies |
The system works for any combination of genders. A male Mii can marry a male Mii. A non-binary Mii can marry a female Mii. Love is love on your island. (For creating Miis with the right preferences, see our Tomodachi Life Mii creation guide.)
Setting Up Miis for Romance – Dating Preferences
For two Miis to fall in love, each must have compatible dating preferences.
How Dating Preferences Work
When creating a Mii, you select who they are attracted to:
- Male characters
- Female characters
- Non-binary characters
You can select none, one, two, or all three options.
Example compatibility:
- Mii A (attracted to males) + Mii B (male) = Compatible
- Mii C (attracted to females and non-binary) + Mii D (non-binary) = Compatible
- Mii E (attracted to none) + anyone = Incompatible (ace/aro representation)
If preferences do not align, romance will never happen. You cannot force it. (Learn more about non-binary Miis in our Mii creation guide.)
How to Spark Romance Between Miis
You cannot directly force two Miis to fall in love. However, you can influence them.
Method 1: Physical Proximity
Pick up a Mii and drop them next to another Mii. They will start a conversation. Do this repeatedly over several days. Familiarity increases the chance of a crush.
Method 2: Give Romantic Gifts
From the in-game shop, buy:
- Love potion – Increases chances of a confession
- Chocolate – Boosts friendship quickly
- Flowers – Romantic gesture
Give these to one Mii and direct them to give it to their potential love interest.
Method 3: Solve Their Problems
When a Mii has a problem (lost item, bad dream, argument), solve it quickly. Happy Miis are more likely to fall in love.
Method 4: Use the Island Layout
Place the houses of potential couples next to each other. Miis interact more with neighbors.
The Confession Event
When a Mii develops a crush, they will approach you with a love letter. You have three choices:
| Choice | Result |
|---|---|
| Deliver the letter | Confession happens. May succeed or fail. |
| Do not deliver | Crush fades over time. |
| Give a different gift | May change outcome (risky) |
If the confession succeeds, the Miis become a couple. If it fails, the rejected Mii becomes sad for a day or two. They may try again later with someone else.
Dating Life
Once Miis are dating, they will:
- Walk around the island together
- Share meals
- Give each other gifts
- Occasionally ask you for date advice
You can strengthen their relationship by:
- Giving both Miis matching outfits
- Sending them on dates (via the Date Spot building)
- Solving their couple arguments
After enough time (usually 1-2 weeks in real time), one Mii will decide to propose.
Proposals and Weddings
The proposal is a random event. One Mii will ask you for help preparing a proposal. You can choose:
- Ring – Classic proposal
- Custom item – Use a created item (funny or sweet)
After the proposal, the wedding is scheduled. You can:
- Choose the wedding venue (beach, chapel, garden)
- Select guest list (up to 20 Miis)
- Pick music (default or custom song)
The wedding cutscene is unskippable and adorable. After the ceremony, the couple moves into a shared house.
(For what happens next, see our Tomodachi Life baby and family guide.)
Same-Sex Relationships – What’s Different?
Nothing. The game treats all marriages identically.
- Same-sex couples can adopt children (the game calls it “a special delivery from the stork”)
- Wedding ceremonies are the same
- They live together, share finances, and argue about the same things
This was the number one requested feature from the 3DS original. Nintendo delivered fully. (For more on inclusive features, see our pillar post on Tomodachi Life Living the Dream.)
Breakups and Divorce
Not all love lasts forever. Miis can break up or divorce.
Breakups (Dating couples)
- Happens after repeated arguments
- You cannot prevent it directly
- Broken-up Miis become sad but may date others later
Divorce (Married couples)
- Rare but possible
- Requires extreme unhappiness
- Miis move into separate houses
- Children live with one parent (random)
You can also manually break up a couple by going to Mii Central > select couple > “Separate.” Use this if you regret pairing them.
Real-World Applications
Scenario A: Creating Your Dream Couple
You want two celebrity Miis to marry. First, ensure both have compatible dating preferences. Place their houses next to each other. Give both love potions. Drop them together daily. Within a week, they should confess.
Scenario B: Repairing a Failing Marriage
A married couple argues constantly. Give both “Heart Candy” from the shop. Send them on three dates in a row. If still fighting, consider that they may be incompatible. Sometimes divorce is the answer.
Scenario C: Creating Island Drama
You want a love triangle. Have Mii A date Mii B. Then have Mii C confess to Mii B. Mii B may leave Mii A for Mii C. Jealousy, arguments, and hilarious cutscenes follow.
Common Relationship Mistakes
Mistake #1: Forgetting to set dating preferences. Miis with no attractions will never fall in love. Check each Mii’s settings.
Mistake #2: Ignoring sad Miis. Unhappy Miis rarely start relationships. Solve their problems first.
Mistake #3: Overloading the island. With 70 Miis maximum, romance spreads thin. Keep population reasonable (30-50 for active drama). (See our 70 Mii limit guide.)
Mistake #4: Expecting instant results. Relationships take real-time days or weeks. Be patient.
FAQ About Relationships
Can two non-binary Miis get married?
Yes. If both have compatible dating preferences (including non-binary attraction), they can fall in love and marry.
Can I force a specific Mii to marry another?
No. You can influence but not control. The game’s AI decides.
Do Miis remember past relationships?
Yes. Ex-couples may become friends or remain enemies. They will not date the same Mii again easily.
Can married Miis have babies?
Yes. Married couples may ask you about having a child. (See our baby and family guide for details.)
Conclusion
This Tomodachi Life relationships and marriage guide has shown you how love works on your island. Set dating preferences correctly. Use gifts and proximity to spark romance. Enjoy the wedding cutscenes. Accept that not every couple lasts forever.
The new inclusive system means any Mii can love any Mii. Experiment with different pairings. The drama is the fun part.
Next steps: Learn about raising the next generation with our Tomodachi Life baby and family guide. For island design tips, see our Tomodachi Life island customization guide.