Our Team

BETSY WISE - Owner/Designer/Lead Sewer
Passions: Designing, Sewing, Family

Betsy is the designer, creator and sewing wizard behind thousands of custom projects, heirloom transformations and wedding gown alterations since the humble beginnings of the business in 2012. From a small corner of her Brooklyn apartment, with a sewing machine and a dream, the studio has since grown and evolved into the beautiful historic Valley Inn of Beacon, NY that we now call home. Betsy Wise Bridal provides the highest quality couture tailoring for all of your wedding day needs.Around the age of five, in the company of her grandmother, Betsy made her first stitches on an antique Singer sewing machine. That very machine now lives in Betsy’s studio today, serving as a constant reminder of her grandmother’s incredible inspiration and gift that became a passion.

With a love of art, design, and crafting, Betsy moved to New York City in 2002 to pursue a degree in fashion. Upon graduating in 2006 with a BFA in fashion design from Pratt Institute, she dabbled in New York’s fashion world, but struggled to find her niche. Betsy was always drawn to a hands-on, creative approach more than a corporate one. She just loved making beautiful things!

2012 was a huge turning point in Betsy’s life and career. Betsy’s sister asked her to design and create a one of a kind gown for her wedding. Betsy decided to deconstruct and redesign a family heirloom gown originally worn by their grandmother and mother. The process was incredibly creative, collaborative, and meaningful. She knew she was onto something truly unique and special! One project and happy customer at a time, Betsy grew the business through word of mouth to what it is today. She puts her passion into every stitch, and loves nothing more than helping you look and feel your very best on the most important day of your life. 

ANGELÍS WONG - Design Assistant/Lead Content Creator
Passions: Fashion, Art, Family

Angelis is the nimble handed stitcher who places every intricate finishing touch on your gown. Though often behind the scenes, her keen eye and incredible attention to detail are instrumental in every single gown that leaves our shop. 

From a young age, Angelís always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Over the years, she taught herself how to sew, hand embroider, and play the guitar. Leaning further into her creativity, she studied drawing, sculpture, and photography at Manhattanville College and earned a BFA in Studio Art. 

Angelís grew up in Bronx, NY and moved to the Hudson Valley in 2020. She is an exceptional hand stitcher, creative digital content creator and a calming presence.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, designing and sewing personal projects, or spending time with family and friends. 

DAVID MICHAEL FRIEND - IT/Graphic Design/Bookkeeping/Husband/Child Care/
Emotional Support.
Passions: Animation, Art, Family

David, Betsy’s husband, is the behind the scenes support system. When he’s not working on an animation or illustration project, David is hard at work troubleshooting our IT, managing business finances, designing all things visual for the brand, being Betsy’s rock, and co-caretaking for their two beautiful daughters, Ruby and Violet.

David is an art director, production designer, animator, illustrator, puppet maker and puppeteer. He has worked on dozens of projects and for several  companies including Space Racers, Sprite Animation, Ibex Puppetry, Warhorse Films, Mondo Publishing, Sesame Workshop, Simon & Schuster, and The Jim Henson Company, just to name a few. 

David is the recipient of the 2011 Newport Beach Film Festival Audience Choice Award for the animated short film Moonfishing and has won three Society of Illustrator awards. He holds a BFA in Illustration from Parsons School of Design and was a featured lecturer at Rhode Island School of Design, New York University, Parson School of Design, and Dragon* Con.