Among the most spectacular wedding traditions, the release of doves is in good place. But this practice makes animal rights activists grind their teeth and more and more municipalities are opposing it.
The dove is an animal associated with peace, love, purity, but also hope. Organizing a release of doves on your wedding day is therefore very symbolic. The bird is then the illustration of the young couple’s flight towards a life together. Visually, the release of doves always has its effect on the wedding day, captivating the guests. Some couples then choose to organize it at the exit of the church, others before the cocktail for example.
Nothing is stopping you from organizing a release of doves on your wedding day. This practice is not forbidden, except in certain departments, but it divides. And for good reason: several incidents have already taken place all over France, with animals lost in the city, and who are not used to living alone, others injured, stuck on roofs or even devoured by seagulls, as was the case in Nice. Animal rights associations denounce an instrumentalization of animals and a “dangerous and cruel” practice. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation has notably called several times to stop these releases of doves during wedding ceremonies.
For the time being, only one French department has formally banned the release of doves, Mayenne. For animal welfare, the town hall of Chapelle-lez-Herlaimont in Belgium also refused this practice in 2020. Be careful, however, even if releasing doves is not prohibited in your town, it is absolutely essential to inquire beforehand with the town hall to find out its position on the subject. In some cases, it is necessary to obtain special authorization.
Budget-wise, if you are tempted by releasing doves on your wedding day, you will need to budget between 200 and 400 euros approximately depending on the number of doves and the planned entertainment. It is also essential to call upon a qualified professional pigeon fancier who is used to this type of event. Doves must be trained to return to the dovecote after they have flown. And to prevent them from getting lost, the birds are also sometimes ringed.