First couple married in the Baird Ballroom reminisce about their special day
Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha and Alex Onuoha’s love story began like many other modern relationships: with a swipe.
“We were both on the apps just casually looking and we met on the apps,” Alyssa said.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Alyssa had recently moved away from her entire family to North Carolina. Alex had also recently moved to the area, and both were seeking companionship.
“What was crazy about it is initially I think we were kind of getting friend vibes,” Alyssa said. “We were in the pandemic, so were seeing each other limitedly. We were doing a lot of texting…. but over time it just grew, and here we are and now we’ve gotten married.”
After a few years of dating, Alex and Alyssa got engaged in 2023 and kicked off the wedding planning process. While Alyssa’s family is in Wisconsin, Alex’s family is all over the world. Still, Milwaukee seemed like the perfect place for both sides to gather. The couple wanted a one-stop-shop venue where they could hold all wedding festivities in the same place. Located in the heart of downtown with a variety of flexible spaces to choose from, the Baird Ballroom appeared to be the perfect fit. Although the Baird Center expansion was not yet complete, Alyssa had seen the renderings of the space and was struck by its beauty.
“What an incredible opportunity to be the first wedding in a venue like that. It’s overlooking the Fiserv Forum, you can see the skyline from the rooftop. Both my parents worked downtown my whole life, so it was cool to be in my old stomping grounds,” Alyssa said. “I got to just imagine and dream. I’m an artist as well, so I loved leaning into all the arts and the creative spaces inside Baird Center.”
While Alyssa was sold on the venue’s location and beauty, Alex said he knew Baird Center was perfect after he sampled the food choices.
“We had a small, private food tasting. It felt very regal and it felt very exclusive. All of the food options were delicious, so I knew whatever we picked we couldn’t go wrong,” Alex said. “Alyssa picked the venue, but once I tasted the food, I knew she picked right.”
After months of planning and preparation, Alex and Alyssa’s special day finally arrived.
“Day of, it was just, wow. This is real and I’m here. Especially being in the Baird Ballroom during our reception with the lights changing, it felt so cinematic. It felt like I was in a movie,” Alyssa said.
Alex and Alyssa’s wedding day was filled with special moments, from walking down the aisle…
“It was a really cool moment… we walked all the way from almost the escalators to the front near the hanging sculpture. It was a long walk and it was very dramatic and the tension was building to get to that moment to get to the stage where Alex was standing,” Alyssa said.
To breaking down on the dance floor.
“We had a really good DJ, Gemini Gilly. I loved how centered and large the dancefloor was,” Alex said. “I was really able to get my groove on.”
Now, with their wedding in the rearview mirror, Alex and Alyssa offered a few pieces of advice to future couples who choose to book their wedding at Baird Center.
Alex recommended using the escalator to make a grand entrance up the aisle, while Alyssa encouraged future brides and grooms to use the space to their advantage.
“Make use of the art in the building… it’s so beautiful and local to Wisconsin which is really incredible,” Alyssa said.
And to not limit yourself in creating your perfect wedding.
“Come in with a really strong vision and don’t be afraid to go big, because Baird Center has the resources to help you execute it,” Alyssa said. “I would tell anyone to dream big. Because literally anything can happen.”
Interested in booking your wedding at Baird Center? Contact Lisa Vincent at LVincent@wcd.org to schedule a tour. You can also view a virtual tour of Baird Center’s spaces here.
If you book a wedding at Baird Center by May 1, couples can choose one of the following perks:
- Hosted champagne toast.
- Complimentary late-night bite, compliments of Levy Restaurants.
- $1000 AV lighting and sound credit from CTI.