Medora North Dakota Wedding

Medora, North Dakota offers the most gorgeous setting for a wedding with it’s uniquely, beautiful landscapes and a fun western feel.

Medora North Dakota Wedding

Medora is a small town in Western, North Dakota with not only a lot of history, but an abundance of natural beauty that is a must-see. It has some of the most stunning landscapes that North Dakota has to offer, and is home to the beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park that a lot of fun to explore. It has an old western town vibe, giving it a unique atmosphere and is the perfect destination for a wedding if you’re wanting something a little different. Here’s everything you need to know to plan a wedding here in Medora!

Where to Plan a Medora, North Dakota Wedding

Here are some options to consider for planning your wedding in the beautiful Medora, North Dakota!

• 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 really the first wedding venue here in the Badlands, and it couldn’t be a more ideal setting for a wedding.
• Tjaden Terrace: this is the largest outdoor dining and gathering space you’ll find in Medora, and where this wedding was hosted! It is built on a butte that overlooks Medora, which is truly gorgeous and an incredible backdrop for photos.
• Bully Canyon: this is a stunning outdoor venue that overlooks the Badlands in a secret canyon and is great for large events.
• 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.

When to Plan a Medora North Dakota Wedding

Medora, North Dakota is such a gorgeous spot for a wedding, especially if you love wide-open skies, unique landscapes, and bit of western charm. The best time to plan your Medora wedding 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, with all the local attractions open and the scenery at its absolute best.

Where to Stay in Medora

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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!

What to Do in Medora

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.
• 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.
• Stroll through downtown Medora: Check out the cute shops, old-west charm, and ice cream stops for some unique finds!
• Visit the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame: Learn a bit of local history and western culture (it’s actually super interesting!).
• Grab dinner with a view: Try the Pitchfork Steak Fondue before the musical for a true Medora experience.
• 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!
• 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!
• 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!

Plan your Medora North Dakota Wedding

There’s a lot that can go into planning a wedding in general, and even more-so if you aren’t familiar with the area. That’s where a wedding planner steps in! They are there to take out the guesswork and the stress and provide with you with solid plan and the experience to put together a wedding that fits exactly what you have envisioned.

Megan, from Behind The Scenes Events, is a wedding planner and coordinator based in Bismarck, North Dakota but helps put together events all over the country, as well as internationally. Their goal is to allow you to experience your wedding day being fully present, but knowing every detail is being expertly handled. They offer both full and partial wedding planning, month-of coordination, destination wedding planning and even honeymoon planning. No matter what, they 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 their services and how they can help you plan the most incredible Medora wedding!

Medora North Dakota Wedding Photographer

Hi, I’m Tessa, a North Dakota Engagement and Wedding Photographer that also travels all over the country and internationally! Medora has some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of North Dakota, making it such an incredible destination for a wedding. I’m here to help you capture the wedding you’ve always dreamt about, let’s connect and get started!