Re: BUTTERFIES

I'm trying to find the company that allows you to raise the butterflies on your own. So that they're not shipped alive. I'm not into killing animals. I find butterflies beautiful that's why I wanted to have them at my wedding. But I'm not gonna torture them first.

Teri

Why do balloon launches bother you? I have never heard of that at a wedding either. Where the heck have I been?

Re: Teri

I am doing a balloon launch.

Re: Teri

balloons kill birds. They try to pop them or eat them when they get stuck in trees.

Re: Teri

wow, i didn't know that.
Thanks. i now WON'T be using balloons.
I can never think of hurting an animal.
Thanks Michele

Balloons

As the fiance of an Air Force pilot, balloons near any type of jet engine is extremely dangerous stuff. So, if you are close to any airport please think twice about having a launch please! Even the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds of the navy and air force won't fly if there are the possibilty of loose balloons in their air space.

It is also bad for the enviorment.

These escaped balloons sail high up in the sky where the wind blows them over the ocean. The helium gas slowly escapes, and the balloons fall into the water. Because, here in New Jersey, the upper winds blow toward the ocean, balloons can travel from many miles inland to the New Jersey shore.

What happens next is a real problem for me and my friends. We don't know how to recognize balloons, because they are not part of our natural environment. To us, balloons, especially those silver ones, look like food (squid, jellyfish, and other fish). What we do is mistakenly eat them.





Dolphins like me, whales, seals, and sea turtles are often the victims of balloons. The balloons get caught in our digestive systems, which causes us to get sick or even die. It can even prevent a sea turtle from diving under water. The same thing can happen if plastic bags get loose and blow in the ocean.

Now don't look so unhappy because you can do something about this problem that doesn't mean that you and your friends have to give up balloons. Everyone must do some simple things to prevent balloons from escaping.

Ask the store where you buy helium balloons to attach a decorative plastic weight to the end of the balloon ribbons. If you let go of the balloon, the plastic weight will prevent the balloon from being blown away over the ocean, and you will not lose the balloon.
Use helium balloons only for inside parties. Tying them outside asks for trouble.
If groups are planning Balloon Launches, try to explain to them the problem, and encourage them to find other ways to celebrate.
Everyone should be careful with plastic bags, too! Don't let them blow away especially near water or from a boat.
This will make me and my friends very happy. We know you do not want to see us get hurt. Remember, be CAREFUL with BALLOONS while still having FUN

Balloon launches are a popular way of celebrating weddings, sporting events, grand openings and other occasions. Unfortunately, balloons eventually fall to the ground, resulting in litter and possible health hazards to animals.

Balloons Are Litter, Too

Natural latex balloons--the kind that are used for balloon releases--are produced from the sap of the rubber tree. The sap is collected through a tapping process similar to collecting maple syrup. Latex balloons are biodegradable when exposed to sunlight and the elements. However, depending upon where it lands, the balloon may take many months to decompose. Paper is biodegradable, too, but discarding it improperly is littering and is illegal. Releasing balloons in the air is no different. After floating for awhile, the balloon will eventually return to the Earth, where it becomes litter.

Impacts on Wildlife and the Environment

Releasing balloons may seem like a harmless activity. However, the litter caused by balloons has a significant impact on the environment. Think of all the occasions, in addition to sporting events, where people release balloons—weddings, parades, holidays, community festivals and celebrations. Balloons released in Ohio may travel hundreds of miles before falling from the sky. When they l and, particularly in the water, balloons not only create an eyesore, but wildlife can mistake them for food (a balloon can look like a jellyfish or the larval stage of a crab to some sea animals). Once swallowed by a whale, sea turtle, or other sea dweller, the balloon can cause the animal to choke and suffocate, or it can block fecal matter, prevent absorption of nutrients, and cause the animal to starve to death or sustain fatal injuries. For example:


In July 1985, a dying one-year-old sperm whale washed ashore with a mylar balloon lodged in its stomach.
In September 1987, a half-ton leatherback sea turtle, disabled from a latex balloon and three-foot ribbon blocking the passage between his stomach and intestines, received a three-foot gash from a boat propeller it was unable to dodge.
Penalties for Littering in Ohio

In Ohio, it is illegal for any person, regardless of intent, to throw, drop, discard, place, or deposit litter, or cause litter to be deposited on public property, on private property not owned by him or her, or in or on waters of the state. Litter is defined as garbage, waste, cans, bottles, paper cartons, boxes, automobile parts, furniture, glass, or anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature. This includes balloons that have fallen to the ground.

Under state law, littering is a third-degree misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500 and six months in jail. In addition, most municipalities have their own litter ordinances. Many Ohio law enforcement agencies have overlapping authority to enforce litter laws. Because all litter law violations are violations of state law, any sworn law enforcement officer who has the authority to make arrests without a warrant has the power and duty to enforce observed violations.

Alternatives to Balloon Launches

It is best not to release helium-filled balloons. There are cheaper, legal, and more environmentally safe ways to celebrate. Here are some suggestions:

Homecomings: Hand out commemorative noise makers to the crowd to use to announce the arriving king and queen. Have a singer and band on hand to serenade the royalty.

Weddings: Throw bird seed; throw flower petals; or use party horns and noise makers to greet the couple coming out of the church or reception.

Community Festivals: If you want to have balloons at your community festival, tie the balloon to a string; then tie the other end of the string to a rolled up car litter bag, recycling blue bag, or a tree seedling. This will help keep the balloons from flying away and they can be passed out rather than released. Include a copy of this fact sheet in the bag.

Summer Sporting Events: Hand out kazoos to crowd members to play the teams' fight songs. Hire a mascot to lead the crowd in cheers and songs. Release butterflies or birds.

Parades: Use bright, colorful paper for signs and banners. Attach streamers, ribbon, and colorful flowers instead of balloons.


When you use these alternatives to releasing balloons, your celebration and fun will not come at the expense of wildlife or the environment!

For other alternatives, check out books about special event planning at your local library.

Re: Balloons

Sorry girls, I couldn't read all of your response posts so I don't know what was said or decided before me, but I was at a wedding last month where they did the butterfly release. It was a small ceremony, only about 30 people there, and each of us got a monarch butterfly folded up in a peice of paper and they were actually all alive and flew up when we opened them at the end of the ceremony. I know they spent almost $400 for the butterflies and remember that there were only 30 or so! But it did look beautiful and made for a couple good pictures. We don't have the money for it, so we're going to do rose petals. (I have an image in my mind of a black & white photo of us leaving the church with only the petals in color. LOL) good luck to all!

Re: Balloons

I also have that vision Jacki
It's safe and easy. As an alternative to butterflies, I have seen dove releases, and the owner of the doves comes as well, and they go back to the owner after they fly away.
It is beautiful, and doesn't harm the doves.

Re: Balloons

With the dove~ I've heard that sometimes they can 'go to the bathroom' after they're released. Which you might not enjoy as you're walking out of church. Or that they are starved the day before so that doesn't happen. But I've also heard the effect is nice.

Re: Balloons

Ooooh, I guess there's always something when you're using living things. I think I'll stick with my rose petals.

Re: Balloons

When you release Doves you must be very careful where you get them. Some companies do not care one bit about the birds or how they are treated.
Butterfly is a folded piece of paper-

Re: BUTTERFIES

Just to re-iterate tthe 'doves' at releases are actualyy whit homers. Since technically all pigeons are doves thats why the term 'Dove Release' is used. But they donot become lost or dioriented. They often beat the vendor back to their loft and are usually very well cared for.