Butterfly Release

SINCE THE BUTTERFLY SEASON ENDED IN NOVEMBER, NO CHRYSALISES WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE APRIL.  WE HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK IN LATE APRIL TO PLACE YOUR ORDER!

The Big Event...

We offer large beautiful butterflies as a unique and unparalleled alternative to confetti, rice, bird seed or balloons. Designated guests at your wedding will release the butterflies as you both come out after the ceremony. You will depart under a veil of fluttering beauties who will remain for just the right amount of time before they gently and majestically fly away! Some butterflies will linger for several minutes before departing. You and your guests will never forget the magical appearance of these distinguished and elegant creatures. Releasing butterflies at your nuptials will support efforts to replenish butterflies in the environment and reverse trends of disappearing species

Mass Release
 
A mass release can be one or several boxes or decorated containers of butterflies released on cue at a specified time.
 
We recommend four dozen or more butterflies for a spectacular sight.
 
There are several ways you can do this: The Bride and Groom can open a box together.
The mothers/grandmothers of the Bride and Groom can each open a box.
Children in the wedding party love to each get a box to open.
(When doing several boxes at a time, you can use a smaller box with fewer butterflies per box)
*Note the butterflies flutter out of the boxes a few at a time.

Pricing and Ordering

Live butterfly releases are a meaningful, memorable and humane alternative.
A live butterfly release is not only memorable, but humane. This celebratory alternative prevents the potential death of birds that may suffer from the expansion of rice in their digestive systems. At the same time, it supports efforts to replenish butterflies in the environment and reverse trends of disappearing species. Unlike rice or birdseed, there is no cleanup.

Wedding Prayer

On this wedding day…….

This couple has chosen to release
Butterflies in celebration of their
New life together

As the ancient Indian Legend goes:

If you make a wish on the wings of a
Butterfly and let it go, it will be
Carried to the heavens and there it
Will be granted

May God direct their steps. May He
Grant them the desires of their hearts.
May He bless them with a
Life together filled with love and Laughter.

Please add your own silent
Wish to assist them on their way.

(Using the Bride and Grooms name in the appropriate places can customize this prayer)

How to photograph or videotape a butterfly release:

As always we are available to confer with your photographer or videographer prior to your wedding. However, here are some specific techniques, which should help when taking pictures of a butterfly release.

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Try to capture a specific moment and a specific butterfly.

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 Get as close to your subject as possible.
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 Do not try to capture the butterflies against the sky, as it will be very difficult to see the butterflies in flight, they will appear very small and in some cases will be impossible to see.

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Since butterflies will head for bright objects, including flowers, wait for one to land and photograph it.

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You may want to reserve a few butterflies specifically for photography purposes. These can be placed in a refrigerator within their envelopes (not near the freezer) for about one hour. When you remove them from the refrigerator they will be cool and will not fly for some time. Carefully pick them up with wings folded between your  second and third fingers. Place them where you want them and shoot. In the sun, the wings will act as solar panels and as they begin to warm up, they will become more active and will soon take flight. However, there should be time to take some pictures before that happens.

 

  • Try to capture a specific moment and a specific butterfly.

  • Get as close to your subject as possible.

  • Do not try to capture the butterflies against the sky, as it will be very difficult to see the butterflies in flight, they will appear very small and in some cases will be impossible to see.

  • Since butterflies will head for bright objects, including flowers, wait for one to land and photograph it.

  • You may want to reserve a few butterflies specifically for photography purposes. These can be placed in a refrigerator within their envelopes (not near the freezer) for about one hour. When you remove them from the refrigerator they will be cool and will not fly for some time. Carefully pick them up with wings folded between your  second and third fingers. Place them where you want them and shoot. In the sun, the wings will act as solar panels and as they begin to warm up, they will become more active and will soon take flight. However, there should be time to take some pictures before that happens.

Upon Arrival

Each butterfly we ship is first fed and exercised before we put it in its envelope for shipment. You need not do anything but keep it in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.

Your butterflies are shipped in envelopes for their safety. Before the event they will need to be transferred. Carefully open the envelope, gently grasp the butterflies’ wings between the thumb and forefinger and gently remove from the envelope. Place in your container.

If transporting in a basket, please cover the envelopes to shield them from light as much as possible (a towel) during transport. Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible unless warming them up prior to the release. Normally, simply exposing the envelopes to room light is sufficient and they may be left exposed on display for the length of the ceremony if you wish as long as they are not in direct sunlight. The light stimulates the butterflies and will make them active again. When transporting the butterflies, do not leave them in a parked car for more than a few minutes, especially if it is a warm day, and remember to keep them covered and away from direct sunlight.

A few minutes before release, expose the butterflies to light and allow them to warm (15 minutes if cooler day or less is necessary if the day is warm and sunny). If in the shipping container, open the top to let light in and place in a warm, lighted location.

If the butterflies are provided in clear glassine envelopes for a cage release or other display, removal requires a little more handling but is easily accomplished. The only precaution to take is to be sure to wash and dry your hands before handling the butterflies. As an added precaution, if available, dust your hands with talcum powder or equivalent. To remove the butterflies from the glassine envelopes, gently hold the butterfly's body in place from the outside of the envelope at the thorax (where the legs are attached) to steady the butterfly inside the envelope and open the envelope flap with the opposite hand. Grasp the butterfly's wings between your thumb and forefinger just above the thorax and pull it free of envelope. While you should apply a firm, but gentle, touch, you need not be concerned about injury to the wings from touching them. You will not injure the butterfly by handling the wings. The scales (coloring) do not affect its ability to fly. They may be hand held in this manner and released or removed to a prepared cage for mass release. For more information on a cage release, contact us directly.

Then, enjoy the moment and celebrate the day...The butterflies certainly will

For a successful "release," outdoor temperature should be 65 degrees or warmer and must be during daylight hours.

All our butterflies are shipped by overnight priority delivery. If your event is on a Saturday we will ship on Thursday, for Friday delivery.

If your event is in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, your butterflies can be hand delivered in tasteful wicker basket or a container provided by you, at your request.