Medora, North Dakota Weddings: Top Planning Tips & Venue Guide
Real Wedding Feature: Hannah & Braydon, photographed by Twelve9 Photography
Are you dreaming of a North Dakota destination wedding and being a Badlands Bride? Medora, North Dakota offers an effortlessly beautiful landscape and small-town, nostalgic charm that makes every wedding feel down-to-earth and unforgettable. With the stunning Badlands as your backdrop, your Medora wedding photos are guaranteed to wow.
I’m Megan, a professional North Dakota wedding planner who makes sure you get to actually enjoy your big day instead of spreadsheeting and being your own help desk. From month-of coordination to full planning, all the way to honeymoon planning, read more about our services here. Keep reading for my top tips on venues, lodging, and things to do when planning your Medora wedding. By the way, a huge congratulations — I’m so excited for your journey as soon-to-be newlyweds.
Planning a destination wedding beyond Medora? Get expert guidance here for global weddings.
Why get married in Medora, North Dakota?
Medora weddings are destination weddings for most guests. Which means - you get the whole weekend with your favorite humans. How special is that? Medora is a small town in western North Dakota that’s full of history and some truly beautiful scenery. It’s home to the stunning Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is always fun to explore and perfect for photos. The whole town has a cool old-west vibe that makes it feel different from anywhere else in North Dakota. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your wedding here:
Top Medora Wedding Venues
Here are some options to consider for planning your wedding in the beautiful Medora, North Dakota:
Ready for some exciting news?! The Ranch at Bully Pulpit: this is a brand new venue that will be opening in Spring of 2027, and it's going to be breathtaking! It's the first true wedding venue here in the Badlands, and it couldn't be a more ideal setting for a wedding. There will even be onsite lodging. Brides, keep this in mind!
Tjaden Terrace: this is the largest outdoor dining and gathering space you'll find in Medora, and where Hannah and Braydon’s featured wedding was hosted! It is built on a butte that overlooks Medora, which is truly gorgeous and an incredible backdrop for photos. Keep in mind they typically only allow weddings before and after peak summer season, as this is where Pitchfork Steak Fondue is held during the musical season.
Bully Canyon: this is a stunning outdoor venue that overlooks the Badlands in a secret canyon and is great for large events.
Badlands Ministries Bible Camp - Badlands Ministries Bible Camp – Host a small, intimate wedding in Medora’s Badlands. The site features cozy sleeping quarters, a charming outdoor ceremony space, and the option to set up a tented reception nearby.
Rough Riders Hotel: this unique hotel featuring a lot of history from Theodore Roosevelt, and has both indoor spaces plus a spacious outdoor patio. This is perfect if you are planning to stay in the hotel as well for your event.
Harold Schafer Heritage Center: this space is better fitted for small, intimate events with it's beautiful outdoor patio that has a stunning view of the Badlands
Downtown Parks: There are two parks located in town, Elaine's Garden and Demore's Park, that would both work for an outdoor ceremony and reception.
Townsquare Showhall + Patio: located in the heart of downtown, this has the largest indoor space perfect for those larger weddings, plus has a nice outdoor courtyard to enjoy as well.
Best Time to Plan Your Wedding in Medora
Medora is such a gorgeous spot for a wedding, especially if you love wide-open skies, unique landscapes, and a bit of western charm. The best time to plan your wedding here in Medora is definitely in the summer, June through early September, when the weather is warm, the wildflowers are blooming, and the landscape has those bright greens that are stunning in photos. You’ll get long warm evenings that are perfect for outdoor ceremonies and sunset photos in the Badlands. Spring and fall can also be beautiful, but summer is when Medora really shines, as all the accommodations and attractions open back up, and the scenery is at its absolute best.
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Because of you, our wedding ended up being one of the least stressful parts of my life during that season. You made everything feel so manageable and smooth, even leading up to the big day. That final month, which I expected to be a little more hectic, actually felt calm and prepared—so much more than I ever thought it could be. And if any stressors did come up (which is inevitable), you were right there to handle them. You always made sure I was okay—not just with the logistics, but emotionally too.
Hannah
Where to Stay for a Medora Wedding
These are the lodging options you can consider for you and your guests to stay for your Medora wedding:
Rough Riders Hotel: this hotel has a fun, historical background that honors Theodore Roosevelt and has beautiful details, like a grand hearth in the lobby and a tin-tiled ceiling that makes it feel cozy and inviting.
Hyde House: this is a unique space affiliated with the Rough Riders Hotel that features a queen bed, full bathroom, plus a kitchenette, as well as photography of Medora's past adorned on the walls.
Elkhorn Quarters: open from end of May through middle of September, this hotel also pays homage to Theodore Roosevelt and has a touch of Medora western charm.
The Badlands Motel: this western-themed motor motel is conveniently located and features it's own outdoor pool.
The Medora Campground: experience camping along the little Missouri River just like Teddy Roosevelt did in 1883, and enjoy all of the natural beauty Medora has to offer! I personally suggest the group campsite for a little extra space!
Airbnb: There are plenty of options, which makes for a great location for getting ready photos, rehearsal dinner, and more. Just be sure to arrange for bridal party transportation to make things seamless.
Things to Do in Medora for Wedding Guests
The best part of Medora is that it's truly a gorgeous destination to explore and there's no shortage of things to do! Here are some of the best options.
Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Go for a scenic drive or hike and you might spot bison, wild horses, or prairie dogs.
Point to Point Park: Home to mini golf, zipline adventures and a lazy river pool modeled after the Little Missouri, Point to Point Park is a do-it-all destination for family fun. There’s even a unique building and experience to check out called “Perception”.
Cowboy Hall of Fame: The interpretive center features permanent and traveling western cultural exhibits, a Hall of Honorees, theater, gift shop, archives, 1,400 square feet of multi-purpose meeting space, and a 5,000 square foot open-air patio.
Maah Daah Hey Trail: This 144-mile trail traverses the Badlands, Little Missouri National Grasslands, private land, and the North and South Units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It draws people from all over the world to hike, bike, and horseback ride in the Badlands.
Catch the Medora Musical: This is a summer must-see! It’s an outdoor show full of singing, dancing, and western fun under the stars.
Hit the trails: Hiking or biking through the Badlands gives you those dramatic photo-worthy views everywhere you look. Point to Point trails is the perfect family-friendly location for this!
Visit the Teddy Roosevelt Maltese Cross Cabin: If you're a fan of history, you can see where he lived before he became the president!
Stroll through downtown Medora: Check out the cute shops, old-west charm, and ice cream stops for some unique finds!
Grab dinner with a view: Try the Pitchfork Steak Fondue before the musical for a true Medora experience.
Go horseback riding: Take a trail ride through the rolling hills for a real taste of the western vibe.
Play a round at Bully Pulpit Golf Course: Even if you’re not big on golf, the views here are unreal. There's also a fun mini golf course as well if that's more up your alley!
Pro-tip: Hire a Medora, North Dakota Wedding Photographer
I always say - the two vendors you're with the most on your day is your planner or coordintaor and your photographer, make sure you vibe with them! Your wedding day is one for the memory books—and not just for the posed family photos or that unforgettable first kiss as newlyweds. It’s the little, sweet, in-between moments—the laughs, the happy tears, the spontaneous dance moves—that make your day truly yours. A photographer is there to catch it all, so years from now you can relive every single magical moment like it happened yesterday.
Tessa, from Twelve 9 Photo, is a North Dakota Engagement and Wedding Photographer that also travels all over the country and internationally. Her goal is to capture your love story exactly as it unfolds - genuine, joy-filled, and full of those moments you never want to forget. She truly wants to celebrate you and give you the confidence to be you in front of the camera. Reach out to learn more about how she can capture your dream wedding day. Isn’t her work beautiful?
Pro-tip: Hire a Medora, North Dakota Wedding Planner
Planning a wedding is already a big job—planning one in a new city or country? That’s next-level. That’s where a wedding planner swoops in! We take the guesswork and stress off your plate, bringing the experience, the connections, and a rock-solid plan to turn your dream day into reality—exactly how you imagined it, but even better. You’re not the help desk of your wedding, friend.
I’m Megan, from Behind The Scenes Events, a wedding planner and coordinator based in Bismarck, North Dakota that puts together events all over the country, as well as internationally. Our goal is to allow you to experience your wedding day being fully present, but knowing every detail is being expertly handled. No matter what, we are there to save you from the added stress, overwhelm, and wasted time so you can truly just enjoy this season of life. Reach out to learn more about our services and how we can help you plan the most incredible Medora wedding!
Wedding Planner: Behind the Scenes Events
Photographer: Twelve 9 Photography
Venue: Tjaden Terrance Medora
Dessert & Cake: The Bake Shop
Entertainment: Great Plains Sound
Florist/Decor: Simply Yours
Makeup: Peach Parlour and Makeup by Emery
If you’re looking for a Medora wedding planner to help you plan an unforgettable, stress-free day, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to book your free consultation below.