Just wondering if anyone has ever been to a wedding where they did a butterly release? We are looking to do something as a remembrance of lost loved ones and were thinking of releasing butterflies. We are having an outdoor wedding and are trying to think of what to do...any other suggestions??? Just wondering how it works, if it works, and any ideas on where to get them.
I've never seen it done, but I have heard that you need to be careful about the species of butterfly you use because there have been problems with people releasing non-native insects. These species can be invasive and cause harm to the surroundings. So I guess you should find out which species are already native to your location before you do it.
you could light a rememberance candle, have a song played or do a reading or prayer in their honor. (all cheaper and easier than releasing live creatures). You can also put a note in the program to acknowledge the person and explain the significance of the chosen reading/candle, etc... If you are getting married near water, you could place a flower or wreath into the water. I don't know if balloon releases are allowed in some places, but you could check.
I worked a Sweet 16 party where all the guest had a single box to release a butterfly, and all the butterflies had already died of suffocation in the boxes. I would not recommend this at all, it was really sad...
As a biologist, I would highly, highly advise against it. Unless you are prepared to spend the day before running aroung collecting specimens from the area you will release them, you will be doing untold damage to the natural areas around where your wedding will be. not only can they kill off exsisting plants and other animals vital to the surrounding areas ecosystem, but you are releasing an animal that ususally has a large territorty between it and other butterflies in a close proximity...therefore the animals will spread, causing more damage, or possibly starve to death if they compete for food.
I like other peoples suggestions, but would strongly advise against releasing ballons. while latex ballons biopdegrade, unless you use cotton, lightweight string, ribbon does not and is highly attractive to other animals that can choke on them. also if the ballon does not reach a certain altitude and burst it can come back to earth intact and be attractive as food to yet even more animals-killing or hurting them as well.
Be careful with releases and the environment. Balloon releases have a terrible impact on water-dwellers. Butterflies can negatively introduce non-native butterflies to the area.
We're keeping a soy candle lit on a table to remember my fiance's father. I think that is a perfectly appropriate way to handle it. Most people do releases to celebrate the marriage, not remember people who are gone.
Ha, beesknees, that's what I was thinking of! Live, invasive species or a bunch of dead butterflies-- neither are how I want to celebrate my marriage. I think the candle suggestions were lovely.
Check if your city has a butterfly conservatory or a natural museum they will be the best people to know what's native to the area and whether the butterflies will survive under your circumstances.
My cousin got married at a butterfly conservatory and all the butterflies came out fine..everyone had fun.
Just wondering if anyone has ever been to a wedding where they did a butterly release? We are looking to do something as a remembrance of lost loved ones and were thinking of releasing butterflies. We are having an outdoor wedding and are trying to think of what to do...any other suggestions??? Just wondering how it works, if it works, and any ideas on where to get them.
posted by tiffany 5 posts 6 months agoHi Tiffany,
This topic was discussed a while ago here if you're interested. :)
posted by dezziemon 50 posts 6 months agoI've never seen it done, but I have heard that you need to be careful about the species of butterfly you use because there have been problems with people releasing non-native insects. These species can be invasive and cause harm to the surroundings. So I guess you should find out which species are already native to your location before you do it.
posted by DrB 107 posts 6 months agoDon't do it!!! I have heard many horror stories and not 1 good story!
posted by Candi1024 304 posts 6 months agoHow about releasing doves or pigeons?
posted by Candi1024 304 posts 6 months agoI've seen it. The couple had to shake the box to get them to come out. It was okay...definitely not as fluid as they thought it would be.
posted by rebecca 986 posts 6 months agodo you guys have any other suggestions for things to do to remember loved ones??
posted by tiffany 5 posts 6 months agoyou could light a rememberance candle, have a song played or do a reading or prayer in their honor. (all cheaper and easier than releasing live creatures). You can also put a note in the program to acknowledge the person and explain the significance of the chosen reading/candle, etc... If you are getting married near water, you could place a flower or wreath into the water. I don't know if balloon releases are allowed in some places, but you could check.
posted by DrB 107 posts 6 months agoI worked a Sweet 16 party where all the guest had a single box to release a butterfly, and all the butterflies had already died of suffocation in the boxes. I would not recommend this at all, it was really sad...
posted by wishinandhopin 3 posts 6 months agoAs a biologist, I would highly, highly advise against it. Unless you are prepared to spend the day before running aroung collecting specimens from the area you will release them, you will be doing untold damage to the natural areas around where your wedding will be. not only can they kill off exsisting plants and other animals vital to the surrounding areas ecosystem, but you are releasing an animal that ususally has a large territorty between it and other butterflies in a close proximity...therefore the animals will spread, causing more damage, or possibly starve to death if they compete for food.
I like other peoples suggestions, but would strongly advise against releasing ballons. while latex ballons biopdegrade, unless you use cotton, lightweight string, ribbon does not and is highly attractive to other animals that can choke on them. also if the ballon does not reach a certain altitude and burst it can come back to earth intact and be attractive as food to yet even more animals-killing or hurting them as well.
posted by finbladez 32 posts 6 months agoBe careful with releases and the environment. Balloon releases have a terrible impact on water-dwellers. Butterflies can negatively introduce non-native butterflies to the area.
In our program, we are dedicating the flowers on the alter to particular people who have passed.
They will also be mentioned in the intentions (catholic mass)
posted by Candi1024 304 posts 6 months agoDid anyone see Two and Half Men when they did the butterfly release. Granted it was just a tv show- but still it was funny.
posted by beesknees 269 posts 6 months agoHa, beesknees, that's what I was thinking of! Live, invasive species or a bunch of dead butterflies-- neither are how I want to celebrate my marriage. I think the candle suggestions were lovely.
posted by jlsween 44 posts 6 months agoCheck if your city has a butterfly conservatory or a natural museum they will be the best people to know what's native to the area and whether the butterflies will survive under your circumstances.
My cousin got married at a butterfly conservatory and all the butterflies came out fine..everyone had fun.
posted by V 228 posts 6 months ago