'A lot of brides are asking for vibrant
small tree limbs to hold votive can-
colors these days — rich fuschia,
dles for each table.
oranges, tropical colors. When I send a
"When my client walked into the
bride down the aisle I get all misty. I
room," Henk recalls, she started cry-
know this is one of the most special
ing and said, 'It's exactly what I had
days in their lives and I want to give
in my head.' That's what makes it all
them what I would want for myself."
worth it."
This kind of commitment means
That sense of drama is the elixir for
that Henk sometimes turns away six
Steve Coden, as well. Coden runs a
jobs a week. If I have a week, I can
full-service florist shop in the Traveler's
do anything," she says. She once
Building in Southfield. In my heart,
planned a party for 500 on two
I'm an entertainer," he explains, "and
weeks' notice. But I am careful not
flower design is like performing. You
to take on too many clients for one
take a concept and you create some-
weekend. I am at
every party, and I
won't to shortchange
Above: Breath of Spring's
one person just to get
CI. Lively creates
another party done."
centerpieces.
When Dodie
David's stepdaughter
told her she wanted an
outdoor wedding and
that she wanted the
family's black lab and
golden retriever to walk
down the aisle, Mrs.
David turned to Henk.
"She helped us with so
many things besides
the flowers," David
recalls. "Not only did
my stepdaughter want
the dogs, but she want-
ed to arrive with her
father in a horse-drawn
carriage and she also
wanted a bagpiper.
"We didn't know
how to put it all
together without it
being a circus. But
Kathie did."
Henk, whose earli-
est memories are of
helping her grand-
mother arrange flowers
to take to the hospital,
"lives and breaths
[her] work. I love it.
thing that is artistic and you run with
To turn around after you've worked
it.
all week and the room is finished, the
"When a bride comes to me, the
lights are down, and it's like a fairy-
first thing I do is get an aura of what
land — to me that's the whole thing."
she wants to create. She might come
The "whole thing" recently includ-
to me and say she wants a wild flower
ed creating an Aspen theme for a
feel with lots of color and variety. I
client. Henk's centerpieces consisted
can see in my mind's eye sunflowers
of tiny pine trees complemented by
and larkspur, things that grow natu-
maidenhair ferns, trumpet flowers,
rally in a garden with crooked heads
mushrooms and unusually shaped
and natural foliage.
twigs. Henk's father hollowed out

"I'll say, 'You want your tables to
look like you went out in the garden
and took a little of this and a little of
that and it all just fell together natu-
rally,' and she says, 'Yes, that's it.'
"When we get closer, I'll make up a
sample arrangement and come opening
night, if you will, and that curtain goes
up and it's exactly what she pictured in
her mind, that is a thrill for me."
Whether you're using rubrum
lilies, shasta daisies, or leonidas roses,
staying within a budget can be the
thorniest issue. Coden, Henk and

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Wan'

.0

Bolton all pride themselves on giving
their clients good value for their
money. Bolton's philosophy is refresh-
ingly down to earth, and is one that
bears keeping in mind amidst all the
planning for that special day:
"When you get down to it," he
advises, "I never think you should
overextend yourself to pay for a wed-
ding or a bar mitzvah. Stay within
your means. Be realistic." Ii

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INSIDE ORCHAR ALL
West Bloomlie
Orchard Lake Road
North of Maple

248-626-0886

Detroit Jewish News

4/9
1999

C39