If you got engaged over the holidays, congratulations. The ring may still feel new, your family may still be celebrating, and your wedding plans may be little more than a few saved photos and a growing list of ideas.
That is exactly why the beginning of the new year is such a wonderful time to start planning. You can gather information, compare costs, and meet local professionals before making major decisions or putting down deposits.
Join us for the Engagements & Evergreens Wedding Expo at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth on Saturday, January 2, 2027, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This cozy, festive Michigan wedding expo is designed to make planning feel welcoming, practical, and fun: not overwhelming.
Admission is free for pre-registered brides, and you will have the chance to meet more than 40 local wedding vendors in one afternoon.
Start 2027 With a Wedding Planning Advantage
The first weeks after the holidays are ideal for organizing your wedding timeline. You may already be thinking about a date, venue, guest list, or wedding style. An expo helps you turn those early ideas into a realistic plan.
Instead of spending weeks searching online for photographers, DJs, venues, caterers, florists, and other wedding professionals, you can meet them face to face at one location. Ask questions, view examples of their work, sample food and drinks, and learn which services fit your vision and your budget.
A bridal show is also a helpful way to compare options before you book. You can quickly understand differences in packages, availability, service levels, and pricing. That information can help you avoid rushing into a decision: or choosing a service that does not fit your celebration.
We have hosted wedding expos across Michigan since 2013, creating opportunities for couples to connect with trusted local professionals in a lively, approachable setting. Our three regular show locations include the Midland Center for the Arts, The River View at Frankenmuth Brewery, and the Bavarian Inn Lodge.
Event Details: Engagements & Evergreens
Make plans to join us at:
- Event: Engagements & Evergreens Wedding Expo
- Date: Saturday, January 2, 2027
- Time: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
- Location: Bavarian Inn Lodge, 1 Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth
- Admission: Free for pre-registered brides
- Grand prize: $500 cash, sponsored by Team Titus Events
- Prize requirement: You must be present to win
The winter setting at the Bavarian Inn Lodge makes this bridal show feel like a celebration of the season. Enjoy holiday-themed food and drink samples, meet wedding professionals, and begin your planning year surrounded by evergreen charm.
Save Money Before You Sign Contracts
Wedding planning can become expensive quickly, especially when decisions are made without enough time to compare. A wedding expo gives you a budget-first way to explore what is available.
Here are a few practical ways to save at the January expo:
Pre-register for free admission
Pre-registration is one of the easiest savings opportunities. Brides who pre-register for the expo attend at no cost. You can keep that money available for a planning expense such as a stationery sample, transportation deposit, or bridal accessory.
Compare more than 40 vendors in one afternoon
Comparing vendors helps you understand the full cost of a service instead of focusing only on an advertised starting price. Ask what each package includes, which services cost extra, and whether payment plans or flexible options are available.
You can browse local wedding vendors and professionals before the show and make a short list of the people you want to meet.
Ask about show-only specials
Many vendors bring special offers, booking incentives, or exclusive expo promotions. Read the details carefully and ask how long an offer lasts. If you are interested, request a written quote so you can compare it with other options at home.
You never have to book on the spot. Gather information first, discuss it with your partner, and choose the services that support your priorities.
Consider off-season and weekday dates
Your wedding date can have a major effect on cost. Ask venues, photographers, DJs, caterers, and florists about off-peak and off-season pricing. Friday, Sunday, winter, and early spring weddings may offer more affordable options than a popular summer Saturday.
Meeting several professionals in one afternoon makes it easier to ask the same date and pricing questions across multiple businesses.
Put prize money toward a real wedding expense
One bride will win the $500 cash grand prize, sponsored by Team Titus Events. The winner must be present, and brides wearing an ugly Christmas sweater will receive double the chances to win.
If you win, consider putting the money toward a practical wedding cost:
- A venue or photographer deposit
- Bridal attire or alterations
- Save-the-dates and invitations
- Décor, rentals, or ceremony flowers
- Transportation or guest accommodations
The prize can add a helpful cushion to your wedding budget while making the planning process even more memorable.
More Than a Bridal Show: Interactive Planning
Engagements & Evergreens is built to feel like a festive afternoon out: not a task to check off your list.
Try your luck with Spin-to-Win, drop a chip on the Plinko board, and enter for door prizes throughout the event. You can also enjoy holiday-themed food and drink samples from local professionals while discovering new inspiration for your reception.
These activities give you natural breaks between vendor conversations. Bring your fiancé, a parent, or a few members of your wedding party. A planning companion can help take notes, remember questions, and offer a second opinion when you are comparing styles and services.
Your “New Year, New Plan” Checklist
Use this simple guide to make the most of the expo.
-
Set a comfortable starting budget.
Decide what you can realistically spend overall, then identify your top three priorities. -
Choose a rough wedding season.
Consider winter, spring, summer, or fall, and remain open to off-peak dates that may reduce costs. -
Create a short vendor list.
Focus on the professionals you need first, such as venues, photographers, DJs, caterers, and florists. -
Write down your comparison questions.
Ask about pricing, deposits, package details, availability, travel fees, setup, overtime, and cancellation policies. -
Bring your date information.
If you have a date selected, share it with vendors. If not, bring your preferred month or season. -
Take organized notes.
Record the vendor’s name, estimated cost, favorite package, and next step. Photos of brochures can also help you remember details. -
Follow up thoughtfully.
After the expo, review your notes with your partner. Contact only the professionals who fit your style, needs, and budget.
Meet Your Mid-Michigan Wedding Team
Whether you are planning a celebration in Frankenmuth, Midland, the Great Lakes Bay Region, or another Michigan destination, local professionals can help you create a wedding that feels personal and manageable.
At the expo, meet photographers who can capture your story, DJs who can shape the reception atmosphere, venues that can bring your guest list together, caterers who can design a memorable menu, florists who can develop your ceremony and reception style, and other professionals who can make the details easier.
Come with inspiration, but also come with questions. You do not need to have every choice made. The goal is to leave with clearer priorities, useful contacts, and a better understanding of what your wedding may cost.
If you have questions before the event, contact MI Bride Guide. You can also explore upcoming Michigan wedding expos and find the show that best fits your planning timeline.
Begin Your Wedding Year at Engagements & Evergreens
A new engagement deserves a joyful beginning. On January 2, let the holiday season lead into a practical and inspiring wedding planning experience at the Bavarian Inn Lodge.
Enjoy the games, taste seasonal treats, meet local professionals, compare options, and look for ways to save before you book. Most importantly, take the first step toward building your wedding team with confidence.
Pre-register for the Engagements & Evergreens Wedding Expo and join us for a festive start to your 2027 wedding plans.