Our Team
Photo Credit: Rob Charles
Betsy Wise - Owner, Designer, Lead Sewer
Betsy is the designer, creator, and sewing wizard behind countless custom projects, heirloom transformations, and wedding gown alterations since she started her business in 2012. What began in a small corner of her Brooklyn apartment with just a sewing machine and a dream has blossomed into the beautiful historic Valley Inn of Beacon, NY, where Betsy Wise Bridal now resides.
Betsy’s journey began at the age of five, stitching alongside her grandmother on an antique Singer sewing machine. That very machine still lives in Betsy’s studio, serving as a constant reminder of her grandmother’s inspiration and the gift that ignited her lifelong passion.
With a love for art, design, and all things creative, Betsy moved to New York City in 2002 to pursue a degree in fashion. After graduating in 2006 with a BFA in fashion design from Pratt Institute, she explored various roles in the city’s fashion scene but found it challenging to discover her niche in that world. Betsy was always more attracted to a hands-on, creative approach rather than the corporate side of the industry—she simply loved creating beautiful things!
2012 marked a significant turning point in Betsy’s life and career when her sister asked her to design a one-of-a-kind gown for her wedding. Inspired, Betsy decided to deconstruct and redesign a family heirloom gown that had been worn by their grandmother and mother. The process was incredibly creative, collaborative, and meaningful, igniting a spark in her that she knew was something truly unique. One project and happy customer at time, Betsy grew her business through word of mouth into what it is today. She pours her passion into every stitch and loves nothing more than helping you look and feel your best on the most important day of your life.
Photo Credit: Rob Charles
Angelís Wong - Design Assistant, Lead Content Creator
Angelís is the skilled stitcher who adds every intricate finishing touch to your gown. Though she often works behind the scenes, her keen eye and exceptional attention to detail are essential to every single gown that leaves our shop. Angelís is also the creative force behind all of our social media content.
From a young age, Angelís always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Over the years, she taught herself to sew, hand embroider, and even play the guitar. To further nurture her creativity, she studied drawing, sculpture, and photography at Manhattanville College, where she earned a BFA in Studio Art.
Angelís grew up in the Bronx, NY, and moved to the Hudson Valley in 2020. She is an exceptional hand stitcher, a creative digital content creator, and a calming presence in the studio. In her free time, she enjoys reading, designing and sewing personal projects, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Photo Credit: Rob Charles
David Michael Friend - IT, Graphic Design, Bookkeeping, Child Care, Emotional Support
David, Betsy’s husband, is the essential behind-the-scenes support system. When he’s not working on an animation or illustration project for his own production company, he’s busy troubleshooting our IT, managing business finances, designing visual elements for the brand, being Betsy’s rock, and co-caretaking their two beautiful daughters, Ruby and Violet.
David is an art director, production designer, animator, illustrator, puppet maker, and puppeteer. He has contributed to numerous projects for several companies, including Space Racers, Sprite Animation, Ibex Puppetry, Warhorse Films, Mondo Publishing, Sesame Workshop, Simon & Schuster, and The Jim Henson Company, among others.
David received the 2011 Newport Beach Film Festival Audience Choice Award for the animated short film Moonfishing and has won three Society of Illustrators awards. He holds a BFA in Illustration from Parsons School of Design and has been a featured lecturer at prestigious institutions such as the Rhode Island School of Design, New York University, Parsons School of Design, and Dragon*Con.
Photo Credit: Rob Charles
