Meet a Bride’s Best Friend...
Barbara Vorse of Betty’s Bridal
by Linda Herman

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm not a bride kind of gal. By that I mean I never envisioned myself dressed up as a princess, covered in yards and yards of tulle. My own wedding included approximately fifteen people... thirteen people too many!

Even so I do drool over the weddings-come-true that many of us "put together." We just attended a cousin's wedding in Denver and it was more like a set from a Stephen Sondheim play. Fresh flowers everywhere, a ceremony performed on stage with those attending sitting in stadium seats, and man-made mist wafting around the bride and groom. Sure, it was definitely over-the-top, but it also made everyone involved very happy. There wasn't a person there who didn't have a smile on their face. But I digress, sort of.

This month I visited Barbara Vorse, the owner of Betty's Bridal on Easton Road in Abington. Believe it or not, hers is the first bridal salon I have visited. (I got married in a wonderful knit outfit with beautiful beading on the shoulders purchased at Ronettes in Ventnor, New Jersey. Anyone remember Ronettes?) Anyway, walking into Betty's Bridal felt like walking into a dream... I felt like I was on a cloud. And it put a smile on my face, immediately. In fact, I noticed it did the same thing as other people entered.

We talked about the mood, alluding to my smile, etc. "We've tried to create a safe haven for our clients. We try to maintain a calm, non-threatening environment. There’s enough stress associated with getting-married-plans that we don’t want to add to it.” (Oh yeh! I remember that stress.)

I looked around me at all the different styles of bridal gowns and wondered about sizing and the kind of inventory needed. Barbara smiled, “We carry a wide range of sizes, and certainly a wide range in styles… we don’t necessarily have the size that will fit you. What we do, what the bride-to-be does, is select the style or styles she likes, then she tries on the sample we have, regardless its size. We can then approximate how it will look if sized properly. You can usually gauge from the sample how you’d feel about the real thing. After you pick out your dress, we take your measurements, order the dress and make adjustments when it arrives at the salon. We continue making alterations almost until the day of the wedding.”

And how much time does it take, from beginning to end, to get the gown of your dreams? “It actually takes about 5-6 months for you to get your gown. That doesn’t allow for alterations closer to your wedding… and alterations are always required. What this means is, generally the bride-to-be starts shopping for her gown about 12 months before her big day. She orders her gown about six months before. For the most part every gown is custom made, some requiring a lot of hand work… beading, lace. You could find something off-the-rack if it fits perfectly and fills all your expectations. That doesn’t happen often.”

Barbara’s been in the bridal industry for quite awhile. Her mother, Betty Arzt, is the original “Betty” in Betty’s Bridal and continues to run her salon in Clifton Heights, Delaware County. That’s where Barbara first experienced the “bridal bug.” She shared that, even now, she confers with her mother and at times, they exchange inventory in the search for just the right gown for a client.

I asked how the whole “bridal gown” scene may have changed through the years. And in a straight face she said, “It really hasn’t. Brides still want the ‘full Monty.’ They still want to be a princess for the day. They want all the bells and whistles. That hasn’t changed.” And the gowns? “Well, today’s gowns are much simpler and cleaner in design. They’re not as ornate. We used to see puffy sleeves and voluminous bustles, and a lot of high necks. Classic, strapless, fitted, simple trains, ivory; this is how we would describe the modern bride gown.” And the cost? “It’s interesting. Costs have not really changed that much over the years…. nor have the spending patterns of your traditional bride.” (P.S. I was not a traditional bride!)

“Today’s bride is a little older. We don’t see many really young brides. We see young ladies who have entered the work force, perhaps they’ve been single, out of school for a few years. And we fit many 60-year old brides who also want the ‘full Monty.’ All our clients want to be a princess, regardless their age, regardless their size. And we can help make that happen.”

So when you walk through Betty’s Bridal and its spacious showroom, you can’t help but notice the wonderful changing rooms available. They’re like little hideaways from it all. There’s a special room just for the bride. Mirrors all around, you can see every nook and cranny of the “princess” in the making. There’s a room for her attendants where they can check out their gowns. And yes, there’s a special room for the groom where he can try on his ensemble, in peace and quiet.

Barbara can fit the entire bridal party within the calm of her salon walls. The groom, his groomsmen, the bridesmaids, and other attendants… everyone can have a pre wedding party right there in Betty’s Bridal… and I’m certain Barbara could help with the refreshments!

Talking with Barbara I could tell she’s a lady of patience, kindness and humor. You need a lot of it all when dealing with a bride and her “entourage.” And by “entourage” I’m talking of mom and sometimes, dad. “Generally, I work with the mom and daughter. Negotiating skills are very helpful. My staff and I try to make this a fun experience, because it should be. It’s a wonderful time. But I find the bride wants to make her mother happy, and sometimes gets sidetracked because of that. We want the bride to be happy. And, of course, we want her mother to be happy. For the most part we succeed!”

As I always do, I wanted to find out if Barbara could share something funny or odd, or out of the ordinary. “Nothing really strange ever happens here. It’s pretty easy.” No sooner had she finished that sentence and the phone rang. A beleaguered bridesmaid was on the phone. She just found out she’s pregnant… and she’s definitely going to be BIG and pregnant by the wedding’s time! Very calmly Barbara explained how they would deal with her dress. “Nothing to worry about. Just enjoy your pregnancy and we’ll see you in five months.” Okay.

I don’t know, maybe I could get used to this bride thing… except I have a son!!!

We talked about Barbara a bit and her decision to open Betty’s Bridal in Montgomery County. In fact, she was anxious to share her story, I suspect in the hopes of encouraging others to move forward with their lives. “I had been a stay-at-home mom for years. Then came my divorce. I needed to work but was extremely shy. I spoke with my mother and decided that perhaps Betty’s Bridal was the answer I was seeking… and it was. It’s made me a different person; more outgoing, assertive. I love working with my brides AND their mothers. This is my dream-come-true and I get to live it every day.”

Away from Betty’s Bridal, Barbara is now married to Bill Vorse. Their children include Ryan, 19, Lauren, 16 and Jessica, 12. And aside from her time with her family, she’s your typical entrepreneur – she eats, sleeps and lives her business.

I enjoyed my time with Barbara. She was easy, laid back and very gentle in her approach to the task at hand; helping the bride with what is probably her most important wedding decision. (At least that’s what the bride thinks.) Sitting across from her I could feel her understanding and who more in need, than the bride-to-be preparing for the most important day of her life? Barbara missed her chance with me… and I think I’m sorry about that. But I see she has two daughters on the horizon. I wonder who’ll be princess first?

Betty’s Bridal
1061 Easton Road
Abington, PA 19001
www.bettysbridal.com
215-886-3445