Live Butterfly Centerpieces

carolannandbrandonswedding

We are getting married in April 2012, and I would really like to have a butterfly release after the ceremony, but here in Wyoming its too cold to have a butterfly release in April. (Its recomended to do a butterfly release in temps over 70  degrees F but the average high temp in Wyoming during April is only 51 degrees F) So I've been thinking of making live butterfly centerpieces instead, but I have no ideas at all. Does anyone have any ideas what we could do?

tldh

Not a good idea to ever have living things as centerpieces.  You're about to find out just how fired up these things tend to make people.

kmmssg

Yeah, this is definitely a topic many get fired up about.  You already know your location is too cold so even if the butterflies did survive a centerpiece (and I can't imagine how they could) you are condemning them to death, period.

How exactly would you put butterflies in a centerpiece?  They are suppose to be flying outdoors.  What on Earth would you put them in?

This is a really bad idea OP.  Let this one go and think of another centerpiece idea you really like.

carolannandbrandonswedding

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:7fb94ea7-9eaf-45a2-9f59-7823a2c946f6">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]Not a good idea to ever have living things as centerpieces.  You're about to find out just how fired up these things tend to make people.
Posted by tldh[/QUOTE]

 Flowers are living things... Just saying... 

kmmssg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:3fec0a1e-80e6-4bf3-946c-41cc8cb3f249">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces :  Flowers are living things... Just saying... 
Posted by carolannandbrandonswedding[/QUOTE]

There is absolutely no comparison between flowers and using live animals for centerpieces.  You are really stretching it there.

PetalPockets2012

Just don't do it. Don't use any live animals including butterflies, fish, or rabbits.

If you really want butterflies, maybe you could print them on the escort cards or programs. Or have your cake made with butterfly decorations. Or wear a barrette. Or have some origami ones on the table. So many other ways to incorporate ideas without using anything that is alive and moving.

jessicabessica

Even if you didn't care about what would happen to the butterflies after you used them, what would happen if they died while they were in the centerpieces?  Your guests would be eating while staring at a jar of dead insects.  

I like the idea of having fake butterflies as decorations if you'd like to incorporate them.  

J&K10910

So...you don't want to release them when it's too cold, presumably because they'll die, but you're cool with keeping them caged up until they die?  Or caged up and then...releasing them anyway?

Logic fail.

Mrs.B6302007

There are nice silk butterflies on the market.  Use those instead.

tldh

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:3fec0a1e-80e6-4bf3-946c-41cc8cb3f249">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces :  Flowers are living things... Just saying... 
Posted by carolannandbrandonswedding[/QUOTE]

Oh please. 

morenachica110

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:3fec0a1e-80e6-4bf3-946c-41cc8cb3f249">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces :  Flowers are living things... Just saying... 
Posted by carolannandbrandonswedding[/QUOTE]

<div>Actually, the cut flowers (as my FI who works for a nursery puts it) are dying plants at that time. They are very beautiful dying objects.</div><div>
</div><div>But butterflies are an animal anyways. HUGE difference between that and a dying plant. Just saying...</div><div>
</div><div>Use silk butterflies or something else, but please for the love of God, don't use live animals.</div>

kristinanddan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:3072261d-df05-4d5e-b755-7277bc5b2ed4">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]So...you don't want to release them when it's too cold, presumably because they'll die, but you're cool with keeping them caged up until they die?  Or caged up and then...releasing them anyway? Logic fail.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

<div>Exactly this</div>

simplyme9488

I wouldn't recommend using the real thing. But if you want something similar (the motion and all) here's an idea:

 http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/e70c/?srp=1

I hope that link comes up. They are expensive. I don't know how many tables you have or if you would do every other table. May even find some for sale in other places. Just a suggestion. 

chickenbut143

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:3072261d-df05-4d5e-b755-7277bc5b2ed4">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]So...you don't want to release them when it's too cold, presumably because they'll die, but <strong>you're cool with keeping them caged up until they die?  Or caged up and then...releasing them anyway?</strong> Logic fail.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

This.  Your way of thinking makes no sense to me.

random4180

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:d5930a78-2616-40eb-bea6-e6d87d9e3b85">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]I wouldn't recommend using the real thing. But if you want something similar (the motion and all) here's an idea:   <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/e70c/?srp=1" rel='nofollow'>http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/e70c/?srp=1</a> I hope that link comes up. They are expensive. I don't know how many tables you have or if you would do every other table. May even find some for sale in other places. Just a suggestion. 
Posted by simplyme9488[/QUOTE]

<div>That's a really cool interpretation of the OP's inspiration! I think using butterflies, birds, fish, etc is not a good idea and my photographer even mentioned weddings where there was a planned butterfly release- and the butterflies were DOA. Twice he'd seen that! Butterfly images can be a beautiful addition to your wedding, as long as you opt for fake ones. And there are a ton of different options to incorporate them; I would definitely look at all the non-live possibilities out there!</div>

NOLAbridealmost

DeadUtopia

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:a646a3ec-2f39-4240-8a37-17a685a0a63e">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]This is about as responsible as using live infants for decoration at a baby shower.
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]

...in Bumbo seats as centerpieces with cute little hats! It's adorable and someone from each table can take one home with them at the end of the night!

Avion22

Am I the only one who thinks that live insects do not belong anywhere near where people are going to be eating?    Butterflies may have pretty wings, but they still have ugly little insect bodies.   Ew.    

Not to mention, using live animals as decorations in your wedding is just cruel.  

cqbride

http://www.naba.org/weddings.html

NOLAbridealmost

I think the OP was concerned that the butterflies would die before they could fulfill their duty for the photo op and not so much about them dying in general.

Please don't do it, OP!  There are so many beautiful ways to incorporate the butterfly motif that do not involve using live animals as props. 

And, plus, also, have you seen Bridesmaids with the butterfly bridal shower invite?  If that movie is any indication, the use of live butterflies tends to be groan-inducing for most people.  You'll want people to enjoy your beautiful centerpieces, not look at them and think, "Seriously?"

mrszeno34

i'm actually afraid of butterflies, the last thing i would want to see at a table when i'm sitting down to eat is a jar of them in front of me...ew, just gives me the chills to think about it!!
i think i'd have to take my plate and go sit in the hallway or something, yikes. 
please dont, for the sake of your butterfly-phobic guests!!

daria24

I worked on a runway show that used live butterflies (I was just an assistant, it was definitely not my idea)-the concept was that the models would wear these giant fishbowls on their heads, and the butterflies would be inside flying around while the models walked the runway. It was a disaster. Butterflies are extremely fragile, just getting them into the fishbowls was difficult and hard not to kill them. Then once the fishbowls were on the model's, there was so little oxgyen flowing into the bowls that the butterflies only had about 2 minutes before they would die. And with so little oxygen, they just sat there, wings folded, they wouldn't waste energy flying around. So instead of pretty wings all you could see was ugly black insects. Trust me, it doesn't work.

RamonaFlowers

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:3072261d-df05-4d5e-b755-7277bc5b2ed4">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]So...you don't want to release them when it's too cold, presumably because they'll die, but you're cool with keeping them caged up until they die?  Or caged up and then...releasing them anyway? Logic fail.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

Seriously.

Andplusalso: nothing says "dinner" quite like a jar of half/fully dead insects. Yummy.<img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-undecided.gif" border="0" alt="Undecided" title="Undecided" />

zitiqueen

for NOLA.

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_live-butterfly-centerpieces?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a0640e9f-b83d-45ca-810f-ee04ff1451bcPost:3fec0a1e-80e6-4bf3-946c-41cc8cb3f249">Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Live Butterfly Centerpieces :  Flowers are living things... Just saying... 
Posted by carolannandbrandonswedding[/QUOTE]

You are seriously comparing plants to LIVING and BREATHING animals (or I should say insects in regards to this post)?  You are completely out of your mind.  Why not have 20 of your friends dress up in pretty butterfly costumes and stick them in a cage or vase (with no oxygen) and see how much they like it...oh wait they won't do it because they can talk and object to crazy ideas, unlike animals who have no voice and cannot defend themselves against crazy bride ladies.

GraciousLoser

Just want to chime in to add another "no" vote to this idea for all of the reasons above. Eating dinner with insects in front of me is pretty gross, no matter how pretty their wings are. Eating dinner with dead insects in front of me is even worse. If they aren't dead on arrival, they will die during the event or when you later release them into too cold weather.

Consider the alternative from Think Geek that a pp suggested. DH bought one for me as a Valentine's Day gift last year because he knows I like butterflies. It moves realistically enough that two guests in our home have asked "how long will it last in that jar?" Your CP will be that much prettier without the animal cruelty.

zitiqueen

How about stuffing kittens into jars?

staugustinegal

Instead of using live Butterflies, Cracker Barrel stores (and online retailers) have feather-made "butterflies" that flutter around glass jars when slightly tapped or when there's a loud noise. A little wire controls them. My sister has one and it's beautiful. So beautiful, its hard to tell the difference between it and the real thing. It's considered a toy, but the mason jars and the "butterflies" inside look wonderful. Just an idea if you really want something moving at your centerpieces. 

ootmother2

I heard that Satan used them