Bride Of The Week: Alyssa Braun
Written By Kaileah Searcy
February 10th, 2025
Step into a fairytale as we unveil Alyssa's magical greenhouse wedding, where every detail came together to create an unforgettable day. Alyssa looked breathtaking in our sparkling Hailey gown, a stunning piece from the Encanto Collection. Set against the lush backdrop of beautiful greenery and natural beauty, Alyssa’s wedding day was a picture-perfect celebration of love.
" ...the wedding is a celebration of your love and your story."
A moment of your wedding day will you never forget?
The most memorable moment was definitely our first look. I was feeling so many emotions as I walked up to him, but seeing him there, looking so handsome in his suit, was so reassuring. The best part was when he turned around and saw me in my dress—his reaction was priceless! He made me feel like the most beautiful bride, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.
One thing you wish you knew as a new bride? What advice would you give to future brides?
One thing I wish I knew as a new bride is that everyone has opinions about weddings, and some are more vocal than you’d expect! My advice to future brides would be not to let those opinions influence your choices. Whether it’s the decor, the ceremony, or even the guest list, the wedding is a celebration of your love and your story. So choose what feel most authentic to you and your partner, and don’t worry about pleasing everyone else.
A detail that made your wedding special/unique?
A unique highlight of our wedding was the shot ski we brought out for guests during the dance! For those unfamiliar, a shot ski is a wooden ski with four spots for shot glasses, so people can take a shot together. It added such a fun twist to the night and really brought everyone into the festivities. Everyone joined in, from our work friends to my husband’s 85-year-old grandma! It was a wild, memorable way to celebrate our love and get everyone laughing and celebrating together.
How did you know your dress was 'the one'?
I could easily picture walking down the aisle in our greenhouse venue, surrounded by greenery and flowers.
"The best part was when he turned around and saw me in my dress—his reaction was priceless!"
Putting on my dress that morning was transformative—I felt like an entirely new person, and for the first time, truly like a bride. It shifted the entire mood of the day, filling me with a sense of excitement and true elegance. When I stepped out, everyone was absolutely stunned and couldn’t stop gushing over the details. Friends and family kept coming up to me throughout the day, sharing how amazing the dress was—even now, everyone is still giving me compliments!
Would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t change a thing—it was exactly what we wanted and perfectly reflected our style and vibe. Every detail felt true to us.
What part of the wedding were you most looking forward to?
I was most looking forward to the dance! After months of planning, finally being on the dance floor with all of our favorite people was incredibly rewarding. It felt like the perfect way to end our special day, celebrating our love and just soaking in the results of all our hard work.
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose?
Our story didn’t start in the most romantic way—we met at a college party during my freshman year. But there was an instant connection, and we clicked immediately. What started as a casual encounter turned into something real and I knew pretty quickly he was someone worth . After graduation, he proposed on a hike, in a way that was simple, genuine, but perfectly us.
How did you find working with the team at Galia Lahav?
Working with the Galia Lahav team at Annika Bridal in Edina, Minnesota was such a wonderful experience. My bridal stylist, Emma, was incredible — she truly understood what I was looking for and took the time to understand my style, preferences, and vision I had for my wedding day. She pulled a selection of dresses that were exactly the vibe I was hoping for, and each one felt unique and special. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with!
How many dresses did you try on before you found it?
I only tried on four dresses. Within 30 minutes I was sipping champagne and celebrating the perfect find with my mom and sister!
"Putting on my dress that morning was transformative—I felt like an entirely new person"
Venue: The Greenhouse at Bittersweet, La Crosse, WI (@bittersweetgreenhouse)
Photographer: Photos by Erin Ashley (@photosbyerinashley)
Bridal boutique: Annika Bridal, Edina, MN (@annikabridal)
Groom’s Suit: Atmosfere, Minneapolis, MN (@atmosferempls)
Rings: Lasker Jewelers, Rochester, MN (@laskerjewelers)
Hair: Su Casa Salon, La Crosse, WI (@sucasasalon.suite)
Makeup artist: Kier Skin Esthetics, La Crosse WI (@kier.skinesthetics)
Florals: The Greenhouse at Bittersweet (@bittersweetgreenhouse)
DJ: Will Nye the DJ Guy, Eau Claire, WI (@willnyethedjguy)
Desserts: The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor, La Crosse, WI (@thepearlicecreamparlor) LC Custom Treats, Wilton, WI (@wedplanlacrosse)