Butterfly Articles

How to photograph or videotape a butterfly release:

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.



Assign someone to be in charge of the release.
Be prepared with a list of people to release butterflies.
After or during the receiving line, distribute the envelopes.
Gather everyone around the bride and groom.
Recite the Native American Legend provided with the butterflies, or another reading of your choice.
Pause. Photographers get into place. Listen to the silence.
The bride and groom whisper their wishes to the butterflies and release them.
Everyone else with butterflies whispers their wishes to the butterflies and releases them.

Enjoy the experience!

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1.    How Early Should The Order Be Placed?
The earlier you place your order the better. If possible, orders should be placed at least 6 weeks before the event date. If your event is less that 30 days away, please call to discuss availability. We generally have some butterflies on hand for funerals and other events when notice is not possible.

2.    How Will The Butterflies Be Shipped?
Butterflies are shipped in sealed cooled insulated boxes.
Each butterfly is individually packaged for shipping in either a glassine envelope ( with name of bride and groom and wedding date) or an individual box (with name of bride and groom and wedding date).
These envelopes or individual boxes are then placed into the insulated box. Ice Packs are placed in the shipping container, with the butterflies, to keep them in a dormant state until time for your release.
Instructions are included with all shipments and a phone number is also included in case of questions.
Your package is shipped overnight express by either UPS of FedEx, depending on location of delivery.
Your package is tracked from the time it leaves the farm until it's delivery.
We take pride in offering only the highest quality of butterflies for your special day.

3.    Is There A Guarantee?
YES
Although we take special care with your butterflies, at times there may be a loss of a butterfly,
since butterflies have short life spans as adults.
Because of this we always include atleast one complimentary butterfly ( sometimes more, depending on availability)
for every dozen ordered.
That way, you will always have as many butterflies as ordered and usually a few complimentary extras as well.



                            Butterflies are a wonderful addition to any celebration, especially weddings.

Butterflies Abound offers a variety of options in helping to plan your release.

Butterflies can be released from the shipping envelopes with every guest having their own butterfly or with only the wedding party having their own release envelopes.

You may also choose to have a mass release with all of the butterflies placed in one container.

Either option is special depending on the effect you are trying to achieve.

For mass releases it is usually best to have atleast two or more dozen butterflies to be released.

You may choose to have a "butterfly girl" carry a bouquet of butterflies instead of flowers. You may even want to have your butterflies serve as a centerpiece at your reception for all of the guests to enjoy before the release.

The options are only limited by your imagination.

                                ~ Remember Your Moments and Watch Your Dreams Take Flight. ~

Butterfly Releases

Butterfly Releases offer the viewer the chance to see beauty in flight. The viewers have the opportunity to experience the beauty of one of nature*s most symbolic and beautiful creations.

The butterfly symbolizes new beginnings and rebirths. What better way to celebrate the beginning of a new life together than with the releasing of butterflies at your wedding. There is an old Indian legend that tells the story of why the butterfly was created. It is often read at butterfly releases as the guests make a wish and release their butterflies.

Butterfly Releases are both magical and momentous. Every release is unique and special just as every wedding, every anniversary, every birthday, and every moment of our life is unique and special. Each of us has been given a beautiful gift of life that we must take the opportunity to experience and enjoy.

Butterflies can be released from the shipping envelopes they arrive in,
with every guest having their own butterfly
or with only the wedding party having their own release envelope.
You may also choose to have a mass release with all of the butterflies placed in one container.
Either option is special depending on the effect you are trying to achieve.

Butterflies should only be released outside during daylight hours
on a sunny or overcast (not rainy) day with a temperature above 60 degrees.
The butterflies should be set free no later than two hours before sunset.
This allows the butterflies time to eat and find a hiding place for the night.
Releases should be held in areas protected from the wind or the butterflies will quickly disappear.
A warm, sunny flower filled area or garden is best.

No matter how you choose to release your butterflies,
a butterfly release is a beautiful, unusual, and exciting way
to celebrate your new life together.

Butterflies are a great addition to any celebration or memorial. Some rules for releases include:

Butterflies should be released outside during daylight hours,
on a sunny or overcast (but not rainy) day with a temperature above 60F.

Butterflies should be set free no later than two hours before sunset.
This will allow for them to eat and find a hiding place for the night.

Releases should be held in areas protected from the wind or they will quickly disappear.
A warm sunny flower-filled area or garden is best.

Place the butterflies in a warm sunny area to energize for about an hour before the release.
Never place in direct sunlight.

Arrangements can be made to color coordinate mass release containers with wedding colors and styles.
There are numerous kinds of containers available, depending on the style and type of wedding.
For local weddings, personal consultation and release setup and coordination may be provided for an additional charge per day. With every shipment we provide release poems and readings, weather instructions,
transfer instructions, general care instructions, etc.



You have given me wings
With which to fly
Now I breathe in deep
And spread them wide,
As we lift off from the silken petals
Into the wind where the butterflies glide.

The butterfly counts not months,
but moments,
And yet has time enough.

~ Anonymous ~



Butterfly Themed Weddings

There are many ways to carry a butterfly theme throughout your
special occasion. Consider a butterfly release, butterfly themed decorations,
favors, etc.
Plan ahead for the type of release you would like to have.
           Butterflies are a great addition to any celebration and weddings are one of the best. It is recommended that you choose a butterfly assistant who will handle the butterflies as needed. That way, there will be less worry for the bride and groom.
Butterflies should be released outside during daylight hours on a day when the temperature is above 60F.They should be released two hours before sunset, which will allow them to eat and find a hiding place for the night. You should hold your release in an area protected from the wind, or they will quickly disappear. A sunny, warm, flower filled area or garden is best.
The butterflies' first flight is usually very short and they will fly towards the brightest object- the bride or people wearing bright clothes- or towards flowers and bouquets.

We take pride in offering only the highest quality of butterflies and accessories for your special day.


American Indian legend

The Creator was very pleased with his human children.
To show his gratitude he created butterflies and gave them a very special song.
The birds soon complained that they were promised the gift of song.

The Creator became upset and still wanting to give his human children a gift;
he instructed them that whenever they wanted a wish to come true
they must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.

Since a butterfly can make no sound,
The butterfly cannot reveal the wish to anyone but the Creator.
If released unharmed the butterfly will take the wish to Heaven,
And in gratitude for giving the butterfly its freedom,
The Creator will grant the wish.

Today these two have chosen to keep this tradition alive by performing this unique ceremony.

Just Living Is Not Enough, Said the Butterfly, One Must Have Sunshine, Freedom, And A Little Flower.
                        ~ Hans Christian Anderson ~