Frequently Asked Questions on Butterfly Releases

When should I place an order for butterflies?
Place your order at least two weeks in advance (four to be super-safe) during April through July, as these are popular months for weddings. As always, place an order as soon as possible to avoid any last minute disappointments. Some businesses will accept orders up to one year in advance.

How many butterflies should I order for a release?
The average order is two 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. Releasing 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°F, but the warmer the better! Painted Lady Butterflies require at least 72°F.

What if I place an order, but the weather turns bad?
An accommodating seller will cancel the order and refund your fees if you find the forecast looks unfavorable, and call three(3) days before the event. If the weather turns cool(er than 62 degrees) or a serious rain is headed your way, the butterflies won't be able to fly.

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 the US Naval Observatory.

How do the butterflies survive shipping?
Each butterfly is fed and carefully placed inside triangular cardstock boxes 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 typically 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 the butterflies will accompany a butterfly order.

What happens to them after release?
A reputable seller only ships butterflies the USDA has approved for your area of the country, so 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.

Butterfly Care and Release instructions:

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 boxes 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 boxes at the appropriate moment.

The butterflies are released by simply unfolding the boxes 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 boxes, 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 boxes 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.

American Indian Legend
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 cannot 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.

Butterfly Memorial Poems available here.
The Butterfly Release Controversy is discussed here.