Releasing Butterflies????

Anyone ever seen this done? Does it work?

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

There was a thread on this a few months ago. If I remember correctly, the consensus seemed to be that the little butterflies in the packets almost always (with few beautiful exceptions) don't work so well - most of them are wilted and barely alive. It all depends on where you get them, and how they are stored. But some girls had seen a release - kind of like a dove release - that was pretty. I only saw the ones in the envelope at a wedding - once - and it did not work well. The poor things limped out of the envelopes and hopped around on the ground. Maybe look into the release idea??? Good luck!

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

Our best friends just did this for their wedding and it worked out wonderfully.....we actually took care of the butterflies over night (they are shipped on ice and you let the warm up over night in a dark room in their box).....each individual package has to be unwrapped about 1/2 hour before the ceremony. We had 80 to do.....so we got there a little early, unwrapped and stuck them in a basket with some tulle covering it. They were very calm for the first 40 or 50, but as they warmed up, it was a bit more difficult to get them into the basket without the other ones (who had already had time to recoup) trying to fly out. We only lost 2 out of the bunch though....not too bad.

After the ceremony, the Grandmas went over to the basket to release the tulle wrapping and many of them went flying out....it was very nice. Their photographer got some great pics, and one butterfly even landed and stayed on her centerpiece for the entire reception...then flew away as they were leaving for the night (kinda weird.....we figured it might have been some strange way for her Grandpa--who just passed---to let her know he was there with her???) Just a thought....but it was VERY strange. Only one or two bit the dust and didn't fly out of the basket.

(If you look closely, you can find the butterfly in the flowers)

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Re: Releasing Butterflies????

Here's the other one

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Re: Releasing Butterflies????

That sounds really pretty! I think the idea of the grandmas doing the release makes it extra sweet. It also sounds like you took really good care of them. I don't think many people do, which leads to disappointing results. By the way, I don't think your idea of grandpa being there is weird at all. We lost our grammy and my 6 year old niece last summer, and I think (as does my mom) that we get signs from them all the time. At least I like to think so.

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

I have to say, I've only heard sad stories about butterflies being released. I think there are many other beautiful options, don't think it's worth the risk of hurting these beautiful creatures. JMO.

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

One of my friends tried it, but it was the butterflies in an envelope. We didn't warm them up or anything and I think only my butterflies flew (she only gave them to the wedding party). So, having 5 fly away wasn't really the affect she was looking for, although, if you really want them, it might be worth the risk. Sounds like it depends more on how they are sent to you than anything.

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

Well, I absolutely LOVE this idea. I am going to take my chances and go for it. I have heard if you do a large release you have a better chance of the butterflies surviving rather than if you give them to the wedding party or to the guests.

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

Ok, so I did remember that post correctly - I was thinking about when I went to bed. (Which may explain my inability to sleep lately - up thinking about LIW posts.) It seems a lot of people agree that the large release is better. Hope you got the advice you were looking for!

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

Thanks so much girls...I'm just a little confused...The large release? What is different as opposed to the other type?

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

The 'large release' is like the pictures I posted---all the butterflies are 'warmed up' ahead of time and let free from a basket or such. Individual releases are when the envelopes containing the butterflies are handed out to the guests and after the ceremony, they 'release' them from the envelopes as you walk away. I GUARANTEE you this WILL NOT WORK the way you want it to. I know from first hand experience in setting up the butterfly basket for my friend's wedding, that it takes a few minutes for the butterflies to reacclimate and will not just fly away when the envelopes are opened. They will flop down to the ground and flip-flop on their sides for a minute until they re-gain their surroundings.....THEN, they will fly away. It's impossible to get the effect your looking for with the 'individual' releases. I HIGHLY recommend the 'large release' and have two good friends (not in the bridal party) that are trustworthy ---to set up the butterflies and the basket.

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

I'm going to be doing the large release. It's definately better.

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

I also want to do this, when i went looking the invelopes are typically $75 for a dozen, but I have yet to see anything about a large release when i went looking. Does anyone know a website??

Re: Releasing Butterflies????

Butterfly website used by my friends