Question:

There are no set standards although most couples choose to include their guests in the release. Here is how it goes: For a church wedding, butterflies are distributed after the guests have exited the church and are waiting for the couple to exit. A pre-designated person or persons distributes the butterflies and explains how the butterflies are handled and released. The bride and groom receive their butterflies when they exit. Traditionally, either the bride or groom or a designated person recites a verse that explains the significance of the butterfly at a wedding. Then the bride and groom release their butterflies and the guests follow suit.

The same procedure is followed at a outdoor wedding except the butterflies are distributed before the ceremony begins and they are released immediately after the bride and groom exchange vows, recite the verse, and release their butterflies.

So-called "mass releases" are normally done by the bride and groom. Monarchs Alive! provides complete instructions for the procedure. Monarchs Alive! also will help acquire a suitable release cage or container unless the bride and groom procure one themselves.

Question:

Yes. The best scenario is a bright, sunny day with air temperatures of at least 60 degrees F. But, butterflies will also fly on cloudy days or even in a slight mist. Butterflies do not like rain and cold. And while you can not control the weather, you can release the butterflies at another point in your wedding day if it happens to be raining right after your ceremony is over. Some couples have distributed butterflies to their guests to take home and release a day or two later when it becomes obvious that rain is not going to allow a release on the wedding day.

The butterfly release season in most of the country is from May to mid-October. Mid- to late April is fine for warm areas of the West, Southwest and South.

Question:

If you don't, you're probably wearing a red cape and a tight blue shirt with an "S" on it, underneath your wedding gown. We recommend that you designate a person or persons, depending on how many butterflies you order, to assist you on a day when you've already got enough on your mind. These people should be in charge of getting the butterflies to the wedding and distributing them to the guests. They should acquaint themselves with the procedures provided by Monarchs Alive!

Question:

No two couples have the same approach to a butterfly release or the same budget. Many brides plan a wedding with butterflies being the main theme and order one for each person attending the wedding and each person in the bridal party. That is not the norm. More than half of the couples we deal with who want their guests involved wind up ordering one butterfly per couple or family attending, plus one butterfly for each member of the bridal party and, of course, the inlaws. (After all, let's start this marriage on the right foot!)

Other couples limit the release to the bridal party and parents and some choose to release the butterflies themselves from a single container. As you can see, there is no set rule. It's a personal choice dictated by your dreams and your pocketbook.

Question:

It's easy with video cameras but a little tricky with still cameras only because of the speed and unpredictable flight of the butterflies. The best bet for still shots is to have the people releasing butterflies stand fairly close together. The photographer should be ready for a wide-angle shot at a fast speed. Some of the butterflies will fly away and some will land on bouquets or other flowers that may be nearby. After all, they are a little hungry and the flowers provide their nectar. If you want good photos before the ceremony begins, try this: Spray or dab a small amount of sugar water on the flowers of your bouquet or other flowers you'd like in the picture. Take one (or more) of your butterflies directly from the refrigerator in which they are being stored and gently place them on the flowers. They will be numb but the warmer air will slowly wake them up. They'll spread their wings while on the flowers to soak up the warmth of the sun, allowing a great photo opportunity. The sugar water will entice them to stay there. They will sip it as nourishment.

Question:

If you know you'd like butterflies at your wedding, Monarchs Alive! highly recommends placing your order as soon as your decision is made. A $50 non-refundable deposit will place your name in our register and assure you butterflies for your special day. While our butterfly supplies for each weekend are limited, we always attempt to have extras for couples who happen upon the butterfly idea at the last minute. Call us at 610-838-8689 for availability.

Question:

All butterflies shipped by Monarchs Alive! are individually packaged in triangular, Origami-style paper release envelopes. Individually packaging the butterflies ensures their safety during shipment and also offers individuals attending your event the opportunity to release their own butterfly. The envelopes are placed inside pastel, floral-design heart-shaped boxes or plain white crush-proof boxes bearing our colorful company logo. The type of box you receive depends on the quantity of butterflies you order. For smaller orders of one or two dozen butterflies, heart-shaped boxes are used; for larger orders, white boxes are used. The boxes containing the butterflies are carefully packaged inside heavyweight, insulated shipping boxes. Synthetic ice packs are placed inside the shipping box to keep the butterflies cool and calm.

Question:

Monarchs Alive! works with FedEx to provide the best delivery possible. FedEx provides overnight delivery to more locations than any other courier service. Monarchs Alive! delivers your butterflies directly to FedEx's huge Bethlehem, PA facility. From there they are shipped directly to your doorstep or whatever location you choose. Most shipments arrive the next morning; rural locales are serviced by 5 p.m.

Question:

For Saturday weddings, Monarchs Alive! packages and ships its butterflies on Thursday. They are delivered to FedEx late Thursday afternoon and arrive at your location on Friday with complete care instructions. For Sunday weddings, shipments arrive Saturday as long as your locale has Saturday Priority service. In the event Saturday Priority service is not available in your area, the package will arrive Friday. (Don't worry, the butterflies will be just fine.) If your event is Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, your package will arrive the day before. For Tuesday events, packages arrive that morning. Monday arrivals are not possible.

Question:

It really is quite simple, and it is all spelled out in detailed care instructions that accompany the shipment (they are also mailed to you when you receive your contract). Here's how it works: Butterflies are insects, and insects respond to air temperature. When it's warm, butterflies are active, when it's cold, they are not. When you receive the butterflies, you take the box(es) containing the butterflies and immediately place them into a refrigerator preset at 40-45 degrees F. (Use a thermometer a few days before to get your settings right.) Colder temperatures will harm the butterflies; warmer temperatures will keep the butterflies from becoming dormant. Their dormancy is actually torpor, a mild state of dormancy into which the butterflies go while in the refrigerator. While in this state, they need no care; they are perfectly fine. They can remain in the refrigerator for three or four days without harm, or food or water. Once taken from the refrigerator, things change quickly. Within one hour at room temperature of 75 degrees F., the butterflies will be ready to "pop" out of their envelopes and fly away. If you are traveling with the butterflies, they can be placed in a cooler with synthetic ice packs underneath and covered by a towel or cloth. Newspaper print will stain the butterfly boxes.

Question:

Monarchs Alive! offers butterflies from May to mid-October. If you live south of the Mason-Dixon Line or in California, we will ship painted ladies the last week of April. Our monarchs are not ready to ship until May. Butterflies do not like to fly unless air temperatures are at least 60 degrees F. If you are in question whether your locale will reach 60 degrees F. by early May, it's a good idea to check with a airport weather station closest to the release site. Meteorologists can look up the average mean temperature for any day of the year. Ask them the average temperature for your wedding day and then make your decision. Monarchs Alive! is not responsible for the weather.

Question:

Yes. Please go to the "Containers" link on the navigation page of our site. Click the link and you'll see what we offer, from release envelopes to "mass" release boxes and hanging cages. The personalized release envelopes are included in the price of the butterflies; the boxes and cage are not. The link page lists their respective prices.