Frequently Asked Questions
At Florida Dove Releases, we celebrate life's milestones with the grace and symbolism of white doves. Join us in creating unforgettable moments filled with peace and beauty.
When released, our doves typically circle the area a few times in formation before finding their way back home. Once home, they receive fresh water and food.
For a safe dove release, the area must be free of overhead wires and open enough to allow the doves to fly freely. While we serve various areas, please contact us if you have a unique request.
These doves are bred and trained to return to their home from over 500 miles away in just one day. They have a natural instinct to find their way back. We keep our birds within 50 miles of their home in Punta Gorda, FL.
Florida Dove Releases is always present at the time of release. Our professional, courteous staff, dressed appropriately for your occasion, ensures a safe release. Various people can enjoy the thrill of releasing the doves with our guidance.
In the event of inclement weather, the release will be canceled with no fees. Additionally, a release cannot occur less than 1 hour before sundown. Typically, no releases are performed after 5 p.m.
We serve within a 50-mile radius of Punta Gorda, Florida.
Doves can be released at any time during an outdoor wedding. In church ceremonies, dove releases typically occur after the couple exits the church to greet their guests.
Yes, our representatives can guide you in holding and releasing the doves at the right moment. Our doves are easily handled, making the experience quite thrilling.
We select the best birds for the day. They are trained birds and have not exhibited such behavior during releases. The actual release is brief, minimizing the chances of this happening.
We use white-homing pigeons, a variety of the Rock Dove species. These pigeons are larger, possess homing ability, and are strong flyers.
White doves have historically symbolized peace, joy, love, prosperity, and hope, making them a fitting addition to commemorate significant life milestones.
Our birds are purebred white-homing pigeons. Once released, they fly directly back to their loft home and the family they love.
While bird releases are often referred to as “dove” releases, ethical companies do not release true doves. Instead, we use white-homing pigeons, a different species. True doves are smaller, weaker flyers and lack homing instincts, making them unsuitable for releases.
Dove releases typically take place no later than two hours before sunset, as birds cannot fly in the dark.
Our doves often fly in various weather conditions but return to their loft when it begins to rain or becomes extremely windy. In cases of heavy rain, strong winds, or dense fog, we may have to cancel a dove release.
Terms and Conditions
Release Policy
We will never release our doves indoors or in dangerous locations.
To ensure our doves have enough sunlight to navigate home, we will not release them an hour prior to sunset.
For the safety of our doves, we will not release them in heavy fog, heavy rain, thunderstorms, winds exceeding 25 MPH, snow, or during a tornado watch.
We will never ship our doves for self-release.
Our handlers will arrive at your event 20 minutes prior to the release time, dressed appropriately.
The number of times the doves will circle before returning home can't be predicted.
Overage Policy
We are not responsible to the client for any failure to perform if such failure is due to a delay in the event not caused by Wings of Love, which causes a conflict with any of the release policies listed above. No refunds will be given.
Deposits & Payments
Your reservation is not confirmed until your 50% deposit is received.
The final payment is due at the time of release. Credit card fees will be added to your invoice, and cash is accepted.
Cancellation Policy
We will fully refund any deposit or payment for a failure to release due to any act of God.
Clients who prefer not to release due to the weather can opt for a dove display and will be refunded any difference in money.
Full refund for cancellations more than 30 days prior to the event.
A 75% refund for cancellations 15 to 30 days before the event.
A 50% refund for cancellations 7 to 14 days before the event.
There is no refund for cancellations less than 7 days before the event.