What you can expect from us:

We will help you design the release so it has special significance for you and your family.
We will communicate with your photographer.
We will arrive early and be dressed appropriately for your event.
We will release birds only under safe conditions:
==> during daylight hours
==> with enough time to return home before sunset
==> under safe flying conditions -- high winds, sleet, thunderstorms, heavy rain or fog make homing difficult and may necessitate canceling the release.
If weather prevents us from attending, we will provide a full refund.
If we attend and display birds at your event but a change of weather prevents their release, we will keep the deposit and either refund the balance or arrange a release at a later time or date.
We will take reasonable precautions to minimize risks to you, your guests, and our birds.

What we expect from you:

To keep us informed about any time or location changes.
To clearly state your desires and goals for the release.
To provide a deposit ($50 for up to 12 birds, $100 for more than 12 birds) to reserve birds on the date you have chosen.
To pay the balance due before the special event.
To understand that the safety of you, your guests, and our birds is of utmost importance.

Home by Sunset

Visit the Sunset calculator web site to calculate sunset on the evening of your event.

During the summer, the birds need 2 minutes for each mile they fly to Decorah. So a release in Calmar, 10 miles away, needs to be done at least 20 minutes before sunset in the spring and summer. In the fall and winter, the birds need 3 minutes for each mile distant from Decorah. So for a 20 mile flight in fall or winter, the birds would need to be released at least 1 hour before sunset. They don't fly slower in the winter-- the sky gets dark faster after sunset in fall and winter. The birds have no time after a fall or winter sunset to correct a navigation mistake or dodge a hawk and make it home before a cold, dark, and possibly windy night is upon them.

Wedding Planning file downloads

When you click on one of the following choices, it will initiate a download of a file in PDF format. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader/Viewer to view.

«Wedding Release Details & Contract»   84 kb
«Wedding Brochure & Symbolism»   164 kb

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