Love Birds
There are many ways to make your wedding unforgettable, but one ritual can make even the most traditional celebration memorable: a dove release. A pair of snowy white birds taking flight is symbolic of the two of you as you begin your journey together as husband and wife.
“If done properly, a dove release is awesome,” says Kevin Moore, founder of the White Dove Release Professionals. “Mates for life, they’re the perfect symbol for a wedding and a new life together.
What can you expect when you hire a professional to perform a dove release? After the ceremony, guests and family members gather around the bride and groom who release one or two birds by hand or from a small basket. The birds soar to the sky, usually circling overhead four or five times, before heading back home. “Often they are joined by an additional 12 or more released by a bridal party member or bird coordinator,” says Moore.
According to 29-year-old Holly of Tucson, Arizona, “They also provide a great photo opportunity and even some comic relief. I was pretty calm handling the birds, but from the look on my husband’s face, you could clearly see he was not!”
Whether or not the birds are nervous, it’s hard to tell. “They’re up and out so fast – about 65 mph – that they usually beat me home”, says Moore. Another plus to dove releases? They’re more often accepted by wedding sites than any other grand finale. “At many locations you can no longer throw rice or confetti,” says Holly. “I considered bubbles as a fun send-off, but didn’t think that would photograph very well. So, I chose a bird release, and it was spectacular.”
The birds are actually white homing pigeons. Like athletes, they rigorously train for approximately five or six months. They’re bred especially for this purpose, says Moore, as opposed to ring neck doves sold in pet stores that usually can’t fly. “When not working, they live in a loft where they are fed and exercised every day.”
These feathered adventurers can fly as much as 300 miles, however most ceremonies take place within a 100-mile distance from the birds’ home.
In order to insure the doves’ safety, precautions are taken. Birds are not released after sunset – that’s because they don’t see well in the dark. Weather is also a consideration for the safety of the birds. “If the bride can stand in it, we can release in it,” says Moore. In other words, heavy rain or other extreme weather may cancel the flight.
The cost for a dove release will vary depending on the number of birds, the distance, and the package. Call your local release coordinator for his or her policy of payment and refund.
The sight of pure white doves circling your ceremony site is an awe-inspiring experience, one that caps off the vows and promises you’ve just made to each other.