When should I place my order? Place your order at least
2 weeks in advance during April through July as these are popular months for weddings.
During the rest of the year we require only 10 days notice for orders. We recommend
you place your order as soon as possible to avoid any last minute disappointments.
We take orders up to 1 year in advance.
How many butterflies should I order? The average order is
2 dozen per 50 guests. For an individual butterfly release you can order one per
guest or couple, or select certain guests to participate, such as the wedding
party and family. Or, releasing a several dozen butterflies at once from a basket
by the bride and groom is also very attractive.
How warm does it need to be to release Butterflies? Butterflies
will only take flight when the temperature is above 62 degrees, but the warmer
the better!
What
if I place an order, but the weather turns out bad? If you see that the weather
is going to drop the day before the wedding, give us a call and we will gladly
cancel the order and refund the full purchase amount. We don't penalize you for
Mother Nature's indecisions!
Can I release butterflies at night? There must be at least
30 minutes of light left once you release them so they can find a place to roost
for the evening. To find the exact time that the sun will set for your date and
location visit http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html.
How do the butterflies survive shipping? Each butterfly
is fed, exercised and carefully placed inside a glassine envelope for their safety.
They are surrounded by soft padding and packaged in an insulated cooler with a
"cool-pack." The cool temperature combined with minimal light keeps the butterflies
calm and naturally inactive during shipping. Butterflies are sent via overnight
delivery to arrive the day before your event.
What should I do when my Butterflies arrive? Complete instructions
on how to care for and release your butterflies will accompany your order.
When they arrive, simply place the shipping container in a cool, dark area so
they will remain calm and inactive.
What
happens to them after release? We ship butterflies the USDA has approved for
your area of the country so that only butterflies indigenous to your area are
released. If you have flowers and host plants for the butterflies nearby, they
may stay a while or even take up residency for the remainder of the season.
1)
WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES ARRIVE: Butterflies are sent via overnight delivery to
arrive the day before your event. Open the top of the package for ventilation
and store the butterflies in a cool, dark place away from direct light until ready
to transport to the event. This will keep them calm. If you have room in your
refrigerator, place the cooler into the refrigerator (NOT FREEZER) overnight.
Your only commitment is to keep the box in a cool, dark place until you are ready
to transport them to your event. 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.
2)
TO RELEASE BUTTERFLIES INDIVIDUALLY: Open the top of the shipping container
to expose the butterfly envelopes to light and allow them to warm (5 minutes if
cooler day or less is necessary if the day is warm and sunny). This stimulates
the butterflies and will make them active again. Then pass out the butterfly envelopes
at the appropriate moment. The butterflies are released by simply unfolding the
envelopes to open them. As soon as the envelope is open wide enough for the butterfly
to flap a wing, the butterfly should take flight. The majestic butterflies will
wing their way into the air creating a brilliant show-stopping splash of color.
If they find nectar flowers in the immediate area they may even hang around for
a while to delight you and your guests before going off to start a new lifecycle.
3)
TO RELEASE BUTTERFLIES FROM A BASKET: Transfer the butterflies into a prepared
release basket or other attractive release container. To remove the butterflies
from the 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. The scales
(coloring) do not affect its ability to fly. Transfer the butterflies to a basket
BEFORE transporting to the wedding, and keep the basket covered (a towel) to shield
them from light until arriving at the location. Warm them up prior to the release
by exposing them to light (15 minutes if cooler day or less is necessary if the
day is warm and sunny) OR 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 makes them active.
4)
DURING THE RELEASE: As they emerge from their envelopes or release baskets,
an appointed guest can read the words from the American Indian Legend below.
Or you may certainly write your own dedication to provide a cue for the butterfly
release. Then, enjoy the moment and celebrate the day. The butterflies certainly
will.
According
to an American Indian Legend -
If anyone desires a wish to come true they must
first
capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.
Since a butterfly
can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal
the wish to anyone but the
Great Spirit who hears and sees all.
In gratitude for giving the beautiful
butterfly its freedom,
the Great Spirit always grants the wish.
So, according
to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom,
the wish
will be taken to the heavens and be granted.
We have gathered to grant this
couple all our best wishes and are about to set these
butterflies free in trust
that all these wishes will be granted.
