Butterfly release

@Celia, I'm here to inquire about these puppies you speak of...

I am horrified at the image of dying butterflies at the end of a wedding ceremony...

I worked an event where they did this. The butterflies were frozen and they had to thaw them before releasing them. Not only did most of the butterflies not survive, but the fact that they are freezing them just seems cruel.

Don't do it

@Celia come back! We need to know about the puppies!

Ummm.....the day of throwing rice has come and gone (bad idea...it kills birds).

You don't need rice, birdseed, confetti, glitter, foil strips, instant potato flakes, sliced and diced wrapping paper, flower seeds, vegetable seeds, bath powder, flower petals, crushed up pasta, Downy Scent Beads, instant coffee, cheap beads, random spice rack tenants, peppercorns, Sea Salt, Bouillon cubes, children's bubbles, or anything else that could shower a moving target.

Can you deal with not being pelted with tiny stuff? Sure you can...it's easy!

Your church doesn't allow the inanimate varieties of congratulatory confetti, but that doesn't mean you should use...gulp...living creatures. Why don't you research what happens to the few butterflies that actually survive the "Wake up, guys...the suffocating coffin we've been confined to is about to be opened, and most of us are about to fall to the floor" pageantry? Think of those beautiful creatures, those awe inspiring wonders who were hand painted by Mother Nature (and each of whom should have marveled far more people than just the limited audience of their captors and their purchasers), many of whom will experience the insect equivalent of neurological distress before they expire...under your altar...all because they were considered wedding decor.

You don't need to be showered with anything -- live or synthetic.

These responses make me crack up.

So wait? As the butterflies fly off, they die? Omgosh.

Don't do it.

Aw no, I'm not a fan of this at all. So sad.

How about ribbon wands???

Please, OP...edit your thread title. Thanks.

That is a beautiful thought or maybe a white dove release

In theory it sounds beautifully romantic, but the poor butterflies!!! Hopefully no vegans/animals lovers around when this is done @Celia, lavender- what a beautiful idea!

A beautiful thought? They die, Sheri...did you read the responses? Where's the beauty in butterfly death, and please, leave the doves alone. Have you researched what happens to them?

Good god, we've spent three pages discussing the evils of butterfly releases, and now someone wants to release white doves? No, don't do that either:

http://www.pigeonrescue.org/faqs-2/why-dove-releases-are-cruel/

My MOG and I raise Monarch caterpillars because in the wild they only have less than 5% chance of living, but if you raise them inside, they can have almost a 100% chance of living.

The morning of my wedding, 2 of her Monarchs emerged into butterflies, so we were able to release them into the garden state park right after our ceremony.

It was actually beautiful and no harm was done.

Con: animal cruelty. I see no pro for this sorry.

I don't think Sheri ever reads the actual comments in the threads.

Bugs and animals not props

@Sheri- You must be joking. Please tell us that is sarcasm. Doves bred in captivity could never survive in the wild which is cruel. Doves caught in the wild to be released at your wedding is cruel because you took something from it's habitat for a photo op. If you use homing pigeons/doves you are supporting the use of animals for entertainment. These bird are shipped in containers that are not controlled or monitored for safety or comfort so the birds may get sick or die during shipment. Also, the handlers feed the birds an unnatural "diet" before the wedding ceremony to make sure the birds don't poop on guests or the bride and groom. These diets are a step above starvation and can cause distress to the birds.

Sorry for the rant. I'm a huge advocate for animal rights and don't understand the need to make an animal perform for someone's entertainment. Why not do a bubble or wedding wand send off?

Just don't, animals (and insects) are not props

Good for you OP for changing your mind!!

I'm pretty sure Sheri is a troll.

ETA: read comments and adjusted accordingly