Wendy Beck

Growing up in Scone, Wendy Beck could never have imagined that she'd become one of Perth City's longest standing Indie retailers.  She has been running her Bridal Dress Shop in Perth's Hospital Street since 2000 and in that time has easily helped over a thousand local brides find their dream dress - the fun bit, as she so rightly says!

"I get to meet some wonderful and interesting people in the course of the day." 

Wendy trained as a costume maker and, after working for many years in various wardrobe departments around the country - including making historically correct costumes for fibre glass figures in York! - she decided to return home to make her own exclusive wedding dress designs. Now, with a busy shop, she's no longer able to fit that in and instead sells gowns from other designers, altering them to fit and making minor customisations.

An hour after arriving the bride had a dress, veil, headress and train clip.  She left delighted and was married at 2pm the next day!Here we chat last minute brides, making jam and inspirational mothers!

Tell us the weirdest / funniest thing that has ever happened to you at work? 

The time I got a phone call at 3pm on a Friday asking for an appointment on Saturday morning. I had one at 11.30 to which the reply was, "Is there not one earlier as the wedding is at 2pm". After ascertaining the call was genuine, I stayed later and she came along. An hour after arriving she had a dress, veil, headress and train clip to put the train up at the back.  She left delighted and was married at 2pm the next day!

What signals the start of your days off?

Tending, or thinking about planting vegetables and flowers in the garden. Enjoying preparing and cooking to eat on the decking in the garden. We had our New Years Day Lunch on there this year. I also love making jam.

GALLERY

What might people be surprised to know about you?

I trained as a costume maker in Liverpool. I worked in quite a few theatres and was on tour with Scottish Opera. Through this I worked with a few famous people and some who were not famous when I knew them!

What is at the top of your bucket list? 

To visit as many ancient historical sites on the British Isles as possible especially Orkney and Shetland. Not yet managed many.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

Serving in a canteen at Butlins Holiday camp in Ayr. It was a terrible job and was also my first time away from home - not a good combination!

Who or what inspires you? 

My family, especially my mother

Tell us about the day you’d love to live again. What would be your groundhog day, one you would never tire of living over and over?

Don’t really have one specific day, I just enjoy every day as it comes.

What’s the best part about your job?

Helping brides choose the gown that makes them shine on their special day. The one they feel most comfortable in. When people ask me which dress I think is best for them, I am not looking at the dress, I am looking at their face; to see, which is the one they smile the most in.

Complete this sentence; the best things in life are…Free!

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Wendy Beck is the owner of La Beck Bridal in Perth City Centre.