We
sincerely regret to announce that the
Butterfly Conservancy
is no longer commercially rearing butterflies. The information below is
provided to help you plan your butterfly release. Prices shown on this
page were for
The Butterfly Conservancy's 1999 season.
Please visit our Links page for links to reputable butterfly farms
and
resources around the country.
For a uniquely romantic,
genuinely moving, and unforgettable finale to your wedding, memorial service, or special
ceremony, may we suggest live butterflies for a Release of Wings? Native American legends
say that, If you have a secret wish, capture a butterfly and whisper your wish to it.
Since butterflies cannot speak, your secret is ever safe in their keeping. Release the
butterfly, and it will carry your wish to the Great Spirit, who alone knows the thoughts
of butterflies. By setting the butterfly free, you are helping to restore the balance of
nature, and your wish will surely be granted. In the Greek language, the word
"psyche" means both soul and butterfly, and in Greek and Roman mythology, Psyche
was the wife of Cupid, the God of Love. What could be more appropriate at a special event
than to send wishes of love and good will to the heavens on the wings of a butterfly?
Butterflies make any occasion both exceptional and memorable:
- Weddings
- Anniversaries
- Graduations
- Corporate Events
- Grand Openings
- Birthdays
- Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
- Funerals/Memorial Services
Planning a Butterfly
Release: The butterflies should be released outside during daylight hours, on a sunny
or overcast (but not rainy!) day, with a temperature above 60°F (Monarchs) or 70°F (Painted Ladies).
Ideally you should plan
to let them fly free no later than two hours before sunset, to allow them sufficient time
to nectar (eat) and to find a safe hiding place for the night. Try to hold your release in
an area protected from the wind, or they will quickly disappear! A sunny, warm,
flower-filled courtyard or garden is best. Their first flight is usually very short, and
they will instinctively fly toward the brightest object—the bride, or people wearing
bright colors—or toward flowers and bouquets. There are three general methods of
releasing the butterflies:
A mass release, wherein the butterflies are held in a large box and
released all at once by opening the lid. Lined butterfly box: $10. Specify ribbon color:
dark purple, dusky mauve,
medium blue.
A display release,
wherein the butterflies fly around inside a decorated net cage, which can be hung from a
tree or placed on a table during the event. At the appropriate moment, two people gently
invert the cage and let the butterflies slowly fly free. Plain cage: $10. Decorated cage: $45+
An individual release,
wherein key celebrants and/or guests each receive a butterfly in an origami release
container to set free with wishes of good fortune, happiness and love. Our unique,
color-coordinated release containers are engraved with the name of recipient(s) & date
of wedding, birth, or other sentiments, at no extra cost as a
special keepsake for you and your guests!
Testimonials:
Here's a sampling from the calls and notes people have sent us following their Butterfly
Releases! Frequently
Asked Questions About Butterfly Releases: We have put together a list of
our most frequently asked questions about release events; please do visit this page for
additional information! Shopping
Around for a Butterfly Farmer? Please be aware that as of Spring 1999 there are
suddenly over 30 companies advertising butterflies for release events on the Internet. If
you are comparing butterfly prices and services offered, we have compiled a list of questions we feel you should consider asking any
butterfly farmer before entrusting such an important part of your special event to their
company. The
Butterfly Release Controversy: Butterfly Release events are controversial in some
circles. Some people feel that letting go a butterfly is frivolous and perhaps even
harmful to nature. We strongly disagree, as long as Federal and State regulations are
observed. To read more about this controversy, please click
here. Placing your order: Please call
to discuss your desires with our event coordinator. To ensure butterflies are available
for your event, we strongly urge you to place your order at least 30 days in advance,
especially during the June-August timeframe. Larger orders (100 butterflies or more)
should be placed 60 days in advance. While we occasionally have butterflies available to
fill last minute orders, more often we are sold out!! A 50% non-refundable deposit is required when
placing your order, with the balance due not less than ten days prior to delivery date.
We can accept payment via check, money order, MasterCard, or Visa.
Please be aware that we do have permits to release butterflies in the
states we ship to, and NO ONE can prevent you from releasing
butterflies--unlike throwing rice or birdseed, butterflies fly away, and
are an environmental asset, not an insurance liability!!
Packaging & Shipping:
Our butterflies are carefully hand-raised on our Release of Wings Butterfly Farms. Prior
to shipping, each butterfly is individually hand-fed and exercised to ensure health and
vitality before being enclosed in an origami or glassine container, wherein the butterfly
rests naturally in a state of dormancy until exposed to warmth and light. The butterfly
containers are then placed in a presentation-quality white box, which is surrounded
by our proprietary thermal packaging system to ensure the butterflies do not
overheat or freeze while enroute to you. A second, heavy duty shipping box encases
the thermally packed butterflies to prevent crushing during transportation. Live adult
butterflies are shipped to the location or person of your choice (the "butterfly
handler") by overnight mail, and will arrive the day before your event. They should
be kept at room temperature and in the dark (a closet is ideal) until shortly before they
are to be released. A detailed instruction sheet and personalized, hand-calligraphed
Legend of the Butterfly accompanies your butterflies.
Note: Because butterflies are classified as "plant pests" (caterpillars eat leaves), State and Federal transportation regulations apply to all butterfly shipments. Permits are required for inter-state shipping. We abide strictly by Federal and State transportation regulations.
Cost: Summer '99
Prices. Although we have no minimum order size, our butterflies are usually sold
by the dozen or by the "Butterfly Bouquet", with extras included in every order.
A $5 thermal packaging fee and a $25 overnight express shipping charge is added to every
order. For Saturday/Sunday express deliveries, please add an additional $10. Additional
shipping fees (by weight) apply for orders larger than 4 dozen; however, discount rates
for large numbers of butterflies may also be applicable. If desired, you may pick the
butterflies up at our farm in Carmel to avoid paying shipping charges. California
residents please add 7.25% sales tax.
Butterfly Species and
Prices: (Some butterfly species listed below are only available locally and/or
seasonally. Please call or email for availability and to place your order.)
Painted Ladies: $75 per dozen
Red
Admirals: $80 per dozen; $75 per dozen for 2 or more dozen
Gulf
Fritillaries: $90 per dozen; $85 per dozen for 2 or more dozen
Monarchs:
$100 per dozen; $95 per dozen for 2 or more dozen
Mourning Cloaks/Camberwell Beauties:
$100 per dozen; $95 per dozen for 2 or more dozen
Mixed Butterfly Bouquet:
$95 for 15 large & medium butterflies (may include Monarchs,
Painted Ladies, West Coast Ladies,
Gulf Fritillaries, Red Admirals,
Mourning Cloaks, Buckeyes, Anise Swallowtails, Pipevine
Swallowtails, or Sulphurs--depending on availability and destination.)
Copyright 1997-2001, The Butterfly Conservancy and Release of Wings Web
Designs.
All rights reserved.