Frequently Asked Questions

1) How far in advance do I need to order Butterflies for my wedding?
2) How many Butterflies should I order?
3) When will I receive my Butterflies?
4) How do I release the Butterflies?
5) What if the weather is bad?
6) Where do the butterflies go after the release?
7) How do the butterflies live through shipping?
8) What happens if the butterflies are not alive?

1) How far in advance do I need to order Butterflies for my wedding?

At Butterfly-Wish.com, we can find the best butterfly farm near you, and help with your last minute needs. Since we work with many farmers, we can always meet your needs, even if its within 24 hours. Occasionally some dates get booked from specific farmers, so it is better to order your butterflies as soon as possible to avoid any last minute disappointments. Most orders are placed about 3-4 weeks in advance during the months of March through September.

2) How many Butterflies should I order?

Most orders are based a few things, how many guests you will have, how many butterflies you want to release, and how you want to release your butterflies. The average order is about 4-5 dozen, (with a few extra butterflies), which allows about 50-60 guests to do individual butterfly releases.

3) When will I receive my Butterflies?

You will receive your butterflies the day before your wedding or special event. Someone will need to be available to receive the butterflies so they will not be waiting for your outside. When your butterflies arrive, keep the shipping box in a dark, cool area so the butterflies will stay inactive and calm. Then, about an hour before your wedding, move the butterflies to a warmer area so they will become more active and alert.

4) How do I release the Butterflies?

You will receive instructions with your order on how to release your butterflies. It is actually very simple enjoy a successful butterfly release. Monarch butterflies will fly when the temperature is about 60 degrees, and sunny, at least 20 minutes before sunset, (Butterflies will not fly at night). The warmer the weather, the better release you will have, and the more active the butterflies will be.

5) What if the weather forecast is bad?

If the weather forecast is below 60 degrees, or it is raining, you will have a couple options. You can keep your order and display the butterflies at your wedding in a nice basket or cage, and then release them when the weather is favorable. Or, if you give us a call 5 days before your wedding, we will be happy to cancel your butterfly order and refund you the full amount. We understand that you can not control the weather.

6) Where do the butterflies go after the release?

Your beautiful butterflies are approved by the United States Department of Agriculture for release all over the continental United States, except for the State of Arizona. Many times, your butterflies will stay in the area for the remainder of the season where you released them. If you have flowers or a flower garden, it is quite possible you will be able to enjoy your Monarch butterflies for weeks or even months after you release them.

7) How do the butterflies live through shipping?

The live butterflies are individually and especially hand inserted into envelopes made for shipping. They are placed in an approved container for shipping, and will remain safe and cool while traveling to you. The cool, dark box makes the butterflies inactive, in a peaceful sleep.

8) What happens if the butterflies are not alive?

At Butterfly-Wish.com, we guarantee that your butterflies will arrive on time, and alive. We make sure that a few extra butterflies are sent out with your order, just in case some of your butterflies didn’t make the trip.