Couples who choose to have their weddings in Medora can truly tailor the day’s festivities to themselves. For one such couple, Robbie and Medora, the town of Medora holds more meaning than most, and on a beautiful warm fall day, they tied the knot amid the sweeping landscape of the Badlands. They invited all their friends and family, from far and wide, to share in the joy of the day and fall in love with the unique grandeur of the Badlands. Both the town of Medora and the surrounding Badlands offers a wide expanse of possibilities.
The town of Medora, located right next to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, is significant to both Robbie and Medora. Robbie was on the board of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) when the two first met and is now the Executive Director of the TRPL. Medora’s grandparents are Harold and Sheila Schafer, legendary in North Dakota for their efforts to save the town of Medora and turn it into the charming, beloved town it is today. Medora also was on the board of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation when she first met Robbie. And in a movie perfect twist of fate, Medora is where they met and fell in love. “Our dear friends set us up on a blind date,” describes Robbie. “One second into meeting each other, I knew I was going to marry her and build a life with her out in the Badlands.” When it came time to choose where to get married, Medora was the only choice. “We never considered anywhere else,” says Medora.
The slow season in Medora means the town is truly yours for however long you stay. The weekend after the Medora Musical ends, the town slows down, and the fall colors of the Badlands show up in full force in stunning shades of greens and golds. Couples can fill the town with friends and family, creating a wedding destination uniquely them. “Medora is a small enough town that you can stand in the middle of downtown, and you can see all of your friends and family,” describes Medora. Cooler temperatures, soft colors, and open horizons make it easy for couples to slow down, be present, and celebrate with the people they love.
With endless options, you can make your wedding at Medora truly your own. Rough Riders Hotel Conference Center is a warm, comfortable indoor space for ceremonies and receptions that can double as your guest accommodations. The Town Square Showhall is perfect for couples who want an indoor fall ceremony or reception. Next to the Showhall is the Town Square Patio located in the heart of downtown Medora. For an intimate, historic option, ceremonies can be hosted in the Old Town Hall Theater. For an outdoor ceremony and reception, the Tjaden Terrace overlooks Badlands sweeping scenery. Bully Canyon is a rustic outdoor ceremony site for couples wanting to get married against a dramatic fall backdrop. An exciting new addition coming in 2027 is a new event barn. “The space will include a large indoor hall, outdoor ceremony, and reception options with sweeping Badlands views, suites for wedding parties to get ready, and on site lodging cabins so guests can stay right on the property,” describes Alix Johnson, Digital Media Specialist with the Medora Foundation. “It’s built to feel connected to the landscape while giving couples everything they need in one place, a dream setting for a celebration in any season.”
Robbie and Medora had their rehearsal dinner on the Medora Musical stage and their ceremony on a butte overlooking Medora, the Badlands, and the Burning Hills Amphitheater. Their reception at the Tjaden Terrace was within walking distance of the ceremony and offered enough room for all their guests amidst the scenery of the Badlands. “It was meaningful to both of us to be out in the middle of the Badlands,” says Medora. The variety of options allowed them to tailor their wedding to their vision of their wedding day.
Medora not only offers a stunning backdrop for a wedding, but also high-end amenities. From comfortable, luxurious lodging, to incredible restaurants, to unique venues, the town has everything a wedding party needs. From intimate ceremonies to large celebrations, there is a venue to match any bride and groom’s vision. Choosing to get married in the fall or winter season in Medora lends a special kind of magic to the day. With the bustle of summer tourism past, couples get to experience a more private, intimate setting that heightens the focus on the incredible landscape. Fall colors and winter snow showcases the Badlands scenery for a gorgeous wedding day that is purely focused on the romance of the day.
For Robbie and Medora, a fall wedding made their large but intimate wedding possible. The endless options located in Medora allowed them to customize their wedding completely to them and their guests. Medora only means so much more to them both after experiencing the wedding of their dreams there. Robbie expresses, “The corny but absolutely true thing about my and Dory’s connection there is like that great TR quote, ‘The Badlands are where the romance of my life began.’ And it is unquestionably where the romance of my life began. I measure my life based on the moment I first spotted Dory on the corner of Third Avenue in downtown Medora. Everything since then has been a whole new world. Her name is Medora, so it’s not a subtle connection, but it’s pure coincidence at the same time, and it so happens that the most special place to both of our hearts is this small little cowboy Western town.”
