We’re from South Dakota, so we know all about the allure and beauty of The Black Hills in western South Dakota! We get it! Good thing we’re also wedding planners, so we can help you plan your destination wedding in the gorgeous Black Hills area too!
Do any of these reasons sound like you?
- You want to save money by traveling to South Dakota for your wedding! (Or you want a venue that also doubles as a honeymoon location!)
- You want your wedding to be more intimate and/or have a smaller guest list.
- You want an extended experience for you and your guests rather than a single day’s worth of celebration (You want dedicated quality time with all of their favorite people!)
- You want to experience something or some place entirely new to you — or you met in South Dakota and want to return to the most beautiful part of the state!
- You are adventure seekers and want to explore the hills, hiking, 4-wheeling and more. (Or you don’t want to get married in your hometown).
- You want a gorgeous backdrop for pictures. (Have you SEEN the photos in this area?!)
- You want to feel like you’re on vacation (because with a wedding planner, it will REALLY feel like it!)
If so, here are reasons why you should book a destination wedding planner (even if there is an on-site wedding coordinator available):
- Hitch Studio is already familiar with the location: We can provide insight into the pros and cons of local venues, vendors, and resources! We can save you tons of hours of research and make sure your overall wedding experience is the BEST! Want to see couple of past weddings in Deadwood, Custer State Park, and Sylvan Lake?
- We get personal — in a good way. Destination wedding planners like Hitch offer personalized services tailored to your preferences, vision, unique needs, style, and expectations. We have four packages to choose from and are dedicated to you throughout the entire process!
- We specialize in logistics and coordination: We know you’re planning from afar! Let us handle the local logistical questions with vendors, accommodations, and transportation if you’d like. Your only job is to get married.
- We can recommend vendors you may not know about: Hitch Studio has a large network of trusted vendors and connections from across the state of South Dakota. (Just ask us! It’s free for us to send you options in every vendor category!) We can send you the options for booking — or help you book them completely. We’re as involved as you want us to be!
- Less stress: We know you are so busy and chose this destination wedding location to be a completely enjoyable and low-key wedding option. We’ve got you. We can handle the intricate details, timelines, vendor calls, ceremony logistics, and even set up and take down all your reception decor. We are wedding planners, wedding decorators, stationery designers (if you need save the dates or invitations!), and we’re ordained in case you need an officiant as well. Have we told you yet that we’ve got you covered?!
- You want more than just the venue coordinator: The venue you choose may have a wedding coordinator already, but their very important job ends with the venue and actual wedding. What if you want more services? What if you want someone you know and love to plan excursions, a welcome brunch, a farewell brunch and gift opening, and/or rehearsal dinner? Hitch Studio wants to know every single beautiful morsel of your wedding weekend and not miss a thing.
Let’s take a look at some rustic options for Black Hills Wedding Venues:
If you’re looking at West River South Dakota for a Black Hills wedding venue with great amenities and a great view, here are some great options for you! Hitch Studio can help you find the best fit (even beyond this information). Let’s start this list alphabetically:
The Barn at Aspen Acres
- Location: 11011 Kellem Ln, Spearfish, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Barn
- On-site Catering: No, open to caterer of your choice
- Capacity: 400
- Liquor license: Wine-based liquor only
- Bridal suites: Yes
- Website: www.blackhillsbarn.com
Besler’s Cadillac Ranch
- Location: 19314 Helmer Rd, St Onge, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Barn
- On-site Catering: No, open to caterer of your choice
- Capacity: 400
- Liquor license: Yes
- Bridal suites: Yes
- Handicap accessibility: Yes
- Good to know: Rental is Thursday through Sunday and they have their own chapel on site
- Website: beslerscadillacranch.com
Black Hills Receptions and Rentals
- Location: 10400 SD-44, Rapid City, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Outdoor tent/gazebo
- On-site Catering: No, open to caterer of your choice
- Capacity: 300
- Liquor license: Beer and wine only
- Bridal suites: No
- Handicap accessibility: Yes
- Website: www.blackhillsreceptions.com
Blue Bell Lodge and Resort
- Location: 25453 SD-87, Custer, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Custer State Park (Cabin/lodge)
- Capacity: 100
- Liquor license: Yes
- Bridal suites: Yes
- Handicap accessibility: Yes
- Website: www.custerresorts.com/plan-your-trip/blue-bell-lodge
Diamond Spur Events Center
- Location: 23826 Mill Iron Dr, Rapid City, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Event Hall
- On-site Catering: No, open to caterer of your choice
- Capacity: 300
- Liquor license: Yes
- Bridal suites: Yes
- Handicap accessibility: Yes
- Good to know: 3-day access
- Website: www.diamondspurevents.com
The Farmhouse Barn
- Location: 21305 Harp Rd, Sturgis, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Barn
- On-site Catering: No, open to caterer of your choice
- Capacity: 266
- Liquor license: No, beer and wine only
- Bridal suites: Yes (cottage)
- Handicap accessibility: Yes
- Good to know: Rental is for 2-3 days
- Website: www.thefarmhousebarn.com
High Country Guest Ranch
- Location: 212138 Ray Smith Dr, Hill City, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Event Hall
- On-site Catering: No, open to caterer of your choice
- Capacity: 285
- Liquor license: No, beer and wine only
- Bridal suites: Yes (rent a cabin)
- Handicap accessibility: No
- Good to know: Couple is gifted one night in romantic log honeymoon cabin
- Website: highcountryranch.com
K Bar S Lodge (Ascend Hotel Collection)
- Location: 434 Old Hill City Rd, Keystone, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Lodge
- On-site Catering: Yes
- Capacity: 200
- Liquor license: Yes
- Bridal suites: Yes
- Handicap accessibility: Yes
- Website: www.choicehotels.com
The Kleemann House
- Location: 619 Mt Rushmore Rd, Custer, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Historic hotel
- On-site Catering: No, open to caterer of your choice
- Capacity: 75
- Liquor license: No, beer and wine only
- Bridal suites: Yes (guest rooms)
- Handicap accessibility: Yes (first floor)
- Website: thekleemannhouse.com
Muley Hill Lodge
- Location: 20829 Mattson Ln, Sturgis, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Barn
- On-site Catering: Yes
- Capacity: 400
- Liquor license: No, beer and wine only
- Bridal suites: Yes
- Handicap accessibility: Yes
- Website: muleyhill.com
Pine Haven Venue & Lodging
- Location: 13514 US-16, Rapid City, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Barn
- On-site Catering: Yes
- Capacity: 250
- Liquor license: Yes
- Bridal suites: Yes
- Website: pinehavenblackhills.com
Spearfish Canyon Lodge
- Location: 10619 Roughlock Falls Rd, Lead, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Event space
- On-site Catering: Yes
- Capacity: 200
- Liquor license:
- Bridal suites:
- Website: spfcanyon.com
State Game Lodge Event Barn
- Location:13389 US HWY 16A, Custer, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Custer State Park, Barn
- On-site Catering: Yes
- Capacity: 230
- Liquor license: Yes
- Bridal suites: Rent cabin
- Website: www.custerresorts.com
State Game Lodge Pavilion
- Location: 13389 US-16 Scenic, Custer, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Pavilion
- On-site Catering: Yes
- Capacity: 350
- Liquor license: Yes
- Bridal suites: Rent cabin
- Handicap accessibility: Yes
- Good to know: Custer State Park Day Event Pass for attendees
- Website: www.custerresorts.com
Sylvan Lake Lodge Auditorium
- Location: 518 SD-87, Custer, South Dakota
- Venue Type: Custer State Park // Event space
- On-site Catering: Yes
- Capacity: 250
- Liquor license: Yes
- Bridal suites: Rent cabin
- Website: www.custerresorts.com
We have at least 20 other venues to recommend, but these are the most scenic options! Inquire if you’d like a full list! For example, The Barn Out West, near Belle Fourche is about to open! Take a look at some past weddings we’ve done in beautiful Black Hills and Rapid City wedding venues. If you’re thinking of hiring a wedding planner, Hitch Studio travels and would LOVE to make sure your wedding day is seamless and beautiful!
Outdoor ceremony space and indoor reception space at Muley Hill Lodge in Deadwood/Sturgis // Decorating and Planning by Hitch Studio
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Indoor/outdoor pavilion from State Game Lodge Pavilion // Decorating and Planning by Hitch Studio
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Sylvan Lake Lodge with outdoor ceremony and indoor reception // Decorating and Planning by Hitch Studio