Our most popular release option: the individual butterfly release packaging. At the appropriate time before or during the wedding, memorial, or other type of special event, the individual butterfly release boxes are passed out to the guests or participants. When the special moment arrives, all participants open their release boxes witnessing the majesty of the painted lady butterfly. These beautiful butterflies joyfully emerge and dance in flight to the delight and amazement of everyone!

Standard butterfly release boxes (as seen in image to the left) are included FREE! Most companies charge extra for release boxes. Please see the BUYERS BEWARE! section by clicking on the link or see the menu on the left.

Another way to release butterflies is all from one container - called a "Mass Release." Please see our assortment of mass release butterfly packaging. The butterflies will be shipped in special protective packaging (called "transfer envelopes") so that the butterflies arrive in perfect condition for your wedding, funeral, memorial or other type of butterfly release event. Transferring the butterflies from the protective packaging into the mass release container is both easy and fun! Butterfly transfer instructions will be provided.

Note - we recommend the 'individual release' for painted ladies. Although the mass release is an alternative, the butterflies tend to perform better when released from small individual sized boxes.

Each hand-raised butterfly is fed, packaged, and ready to be released. No growing or feeding is required. All butterflies are guaranteed to be alive and healthy due to our Flight Proven™ Technology and other special methods we use to ensure that our premium live painted lady butterflies arrive to you healthy and ready to fly. We normally include 1 extra butterfly per dozen "just in case." We are the Original Butterfly Company and we fully guarantee our butterflies. We are a large production facility so we have constant and steady production, which allows us to be able to take most last-minute orders!.

We realize not all situations allow enough notice - especially for funerals or memorials. So, we are normally able to take orders even up until the last moment. However, reservations can be made up to a year in advance. Placing your order as early as possible ensures that your butterflies will be available. We do not have a cut-off date for reservations, however we HIGHLY recommend ordering as early as possible to ensure a secured reservation, especially for weddings or other planned events.  We occasionally sell out 4 to 6 weeks prior to the event.  However, we can usually fill orders even at the last minute.  So, please call for availability, even if your event is the NEXT DAY - we just may be able to get the butterflies to you. Call our office at 1-888-441-4902.

How Many Butterflies Should I Order?

For the "individual butterfly release," one butterfly for every guest to release is ideal! However, if your budget does not allow for this many butterflies, we have found that releasing one butterfly per "couple" (or every other guest) will also result in an enjoyable display for releasing live butterflies. For funerals and memorials, it may be hard to predict how many people will attend. But, try to have at least one butterfly for each close family member or friend.

For a "mass butterfly release," at least 2-3 dozen painted lady butterflies is recommended. The more butterflies the better, but we understand that this could also put a large dent in your budget. So, we have found that 2-3 dozen painted lady butterflies are a good amount of butterflies to fill the sky while being a bit easier on the wallet.

Although the minimum order is 1 dozen, we recommend ordering 2 dozen or more for the optimum visual effect. Of course the more butterflies, the more visually stunning your live butterfly release will be.

Our Guarantee.

Our many years of experience (since 1993) growing live butterflies for release translates into beautifully vibrant butterflies arriving healthy and safe in special protective packages for your live butterfly release. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and we will work hard to keep that rating. With that, we offer the best guarantee policy for live butterflies in the industry. Feel free to shop around - we are confident you will come back to us!

Cancellation Policy.

Please click HERE for complete details of our guarantee and cancellation policy. In summary - if the weather is either too cold or too rainy for a successful butterfly release, you may cancel up to 4 days prior to your event and receive a full refund, less a 10% administrative processing fee. The forecasted high should be 55 Deg. F or greater for a successful butterfly release. Other cancellations may require a greater fee (10% minumum) based upon the amount of notice given prior to cancellation. If you are uncertain about the possible weather for your area on your event date, we advise checking the historical weather records for your area. Please note that the butterflies will need to be released no later than 15 minutes after sunset. For sunset times in your area on your specific event date, please click HERE for more information.

Butterfly Pricing and Ordering Information.

Please check our latest specials for butterfly release pricing and information. Or, if you're ready to order now, you may go directly to our live butterfly ordering page. Or, you may call our customer service office and place your order by phone at:

1.888.441.4902

Butterfly Shipping Charges and Information.

We ship all packages of live butterflies via UPS Next Day Air in a specially-designed container that keeps the butterflies dormant while in transit.  If we need to ship additional products ahead of time such as mass release cages or boxes, we will use the most economical method and we'll schedule them to arrive well before the event. Please click HERE for delivery pricing and more information about shipping live butterflies. Due to government regulations, we are unable to ship butterflies to the state of Hawaii. In addition, we are unable to ship live butterflies to any location outside of the US.

About the Painted Lady Butterfly.

The Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui ) is known as one of the friendliest butterflies in the world. The Painted Lady butterfly's elegance, friendliness, and energetic flight pattern will allow your guests to interact with these lovely creatures. They love to land on you or nearby flowers, allowing for great photo opportunities. Painted lady butterflies live from 4-6 weeks depending on environmental conditions. Below are the answers to some commonly asked questions about the butterflies you will receive.

How Do They Survive Shipping?

Painted Ladies are very hardy creatures. The casualty rate is generally less than 1% and it is likely that all will be lively and healthy when released. The lower temperature in the shipping box puts the butterflies into a restful and comfortable "hibernation" state and they do not need to eat or even move during shipment.

How Does Temperature and Light Affect Painted Lady Butterflies?

Painted Lady butterflies are "cold-blooded" creatures. If it is cold, they are dull and unresponsive. As they warm up they become animated and fly quickly. The minimum temperature for flight is 60-65 degrees, so it needs to be warm for them to fly well! If you are uncertain about the possible weather for your area on your event date, we advise checking the historical weather records for your area. Please note that the butterflies will need to be released prior to sunset. For sunset times in your area on your specific event date, please click HERE for more information.

What Happens To The Butterflies After They Are Released?

Painted Lady butterflies are the most common in the world. They are found everywhere and can easily adapt into any environment. Painted Ladies have hundreds of hostplant species they are able to consume and so finding a habitat in your area will be easily accomplished by this amazing little creature.

Do They Stick Around After Released?

Yes! Painted Lady butterflies are very "friendly" butterflies. They are fearless when they interact with people and will allow you to move in close to get a photograph and sometimes even let you pick them up.

How Can I Get Good Pictures of the Butterflies?

These cold-blooded creatures can be kept in their boxes and placed in a refrigerator for 20 minutes and this will slow their reactions and movement. Then they can be placed onto bridal bouquets, wedding gowns, graveside stones, or whatever you desire. You will have about 30 seconds to capture your photograph before the butterflies warm up and "re-animate" by slowly opening and closing their wings and walking at a slow pace.