Ceremonial white dove releases by Jacobs Loft offer a symbolic tribute to true love... and an incredible photo opportunity

Interviewing Jacob Vanderschee, Owner & Operator of Jacobs Loft

 

Jacob Vanderschee of Jacobs Loft in St. Williams, Ontario has been raising and releasing white ceremonial doves at weddings for over fifteen years. Because doves mate for life, the release of them as you exit the church or are pronounced man and wife can be amazing. This service offers both a unique and symbolic way to celebrate your wedding vows while also making for an incredible photo opportunity.

 

The Ring has seen the way Jacob can draw a crowd with his expertly trained doves at various bridal shows in the area. So, with a service that offers a real tribute to true love, The Ring knew we had to meet Jacob's Loft in person to find out more. Here’s what we learned...

 

A lifetime of experience

Jacob Vanderschee, Owner and Operator of Jacobs Loft ceremonial white dove releases, grew up in Holland where he was very involved in the raising of doves and pigeons, especially during his teenage years. After moving to Canada, he came across a dove ceremony at a market square while travelling in Quebec City that he was inspired to use his experience to enhance weddings. Jacob’s daughter was completely taken with the idea and Jacob was determined to surprise her with her very own dove release ceremony for her own wedding, just two years away. As soon as he got home from his trip, he went out and bought the doves and started the training process so that the doves would be ready for the wedding. That was over ten years ago. Today, Jacobs Loft books upwards of twenty to twenty-five weddings a year.

 

Jacob's lifelong relationship with birds gives him a special understanding of their nature. It provides him not only with success in working with them, but also with a special love and respect for his birds. They are definitely his pride and joy and he keeps them well looked after in a very large and beautiful loft in his backyard. Jacob has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and so he knows exactly what is required to get his doves where they need to be.

 

Jacobs Loft is often present at area bridal shows, and if you happen to see them there, you will have the opportunity to meet Jacob himself and see his gorgeous doves first hand. He is passionate about his birds, and helping you implement their presence into your wedding day.

 

How does it work?

Jacob spends a great deal of time teaching his birds how to find their way back home where food and shelter await. The training process is very simple, but requires patience and diligence. At a very young age, Jacob allows the new doves to fly around his backyard for a few minutes and then rewards them with food and water when they return to their roost. He will then drive about five minutes away and release the doves to fly back home. Jacob will continue to drive further and further away so that the birds learn their way home from great distances. Because the doves have a homing instinct, like pigeons, they will return to Jacobs Loft - their home - for food, water and shelter.

 

Attaching meaning

Dove releases are a beautiful thing to experience, but more than that, the doves themselves are representative of many positive symbols. White doves are a symbol of love, peace, goodwill and good luck.

 

The white dove is also a Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit, which many couples feel is an especially important presence on their wedding day. "Dove releases are a Biblical expression that represent the Holy Spirit, which I just adore," Jacob told us. "We feel that couples choose us for their weddings because dove releases present such a spiritual and unique experience. With doves being mates for life, they represent spirituality, life and the journey they will share together." How perfect an expression is this?!

 

Whatever symbolic meaning you attach to the release of these doves, all who are present at the ceremony will be moved. Jacobs Loft loves to be able to take part in this way. "There is so much emotion that comes from releasing doves at a wedding. It is the most beautiful thing to be a part of."

 

For the ceremony...

Jacob’s white ceremonial doves are delivered in white wicker baskets to the couple’s choice of location - at your ceremony site, your reception site, or another site entirely. There are two options available for the first release. Couples can release two birds either by hand or from a heart-shaped wicker basket, depending on how brave you are! But don’t worry, Jacob will be nearby and his doves are very well trained! "Sometimes we will see a shy bride and or even a shy groom when it comes down to them holding the actual doves," Jacob told us. "We will often put our hand on their shoulder to ensure them that everything is okay!"

 

An additional option is to include a second release to the above pair of doves. Also using a heart shaped basket, this release includes four birds representing the family and is done one minute after the first release. "The couple can invite a chosen member of their wedding party to read a brief passage, which acknowledges the historical significance of white doves and their relevance to your special occasion." The basket is opened and the doves flutter out and away.

 

"We try to personalize the dove release ceremony to each couple," they told us. "It is just such a magnificent and magical experience that your guests will remember forever." Jacob mentioned that many couples hire Jacobs Loft as an extra special surprise for their families and guests!

 

What does it all cost?

Ceremonial dove releases are a surprisingly inexpensive way to give your wedding something really unique and magical. If you opt for just one release of two doves by the bride and groom, the cost is $300 whether you release the birds by hand or from the heart-shaped basket. The additional second release of four birds from a heart-shaped basket, representing the family, is just $200.

 

Jacob generally takes care of dove release bookings himself over the phone. He will work with you in determining what the best dove release package would be for you and give you all the necessary details. Jacobs Loft is also fantastic at suggesting that perfect location for the dove release ceremony... somewhere that is peaceful and beautiful... a great location for pictures! "A dove release in a park or lakeside setting adds to and highlights the wedding ceremony like no other." Jacobs Loft told us that just being able to take part in meaningful and emotional ceremonies is what makes their jobs so worthwhile.

 

For future reference...

White ceremonial doves are also perfect for many other special occasions, so if you’re really impressed by your dove release ceremony (and we’re sure you will be!), it doesn’t have to be your last one, just because you’re already married! Jacob’s Loft also does white dove Ceremonies for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, garden parties, opening ceremonies, dedications, christenings and memorials.

 

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• A $100 deposit is required at the time of booking. A post-dated cheque for the balance is required and due 1 week before the wedding.

• Prices are based on distances up to 75 km from Jacobs Loft in St. Williams, Ontario (on Lake Erie). Please contact Jacobs Loft directly for pricing on distances greater than 75 km.

• Taxes are included in Jacobs Loft prices.

• To ensure availability, it is recommended that you book your dove release ceremony 3 to 4 months in advance. Jacobs Loft will try to accommodate last minute bookings, if the date is available.

• On average Jacobs Loft will book 20 to 25 or more weddings each year.

 

For more information

Contact Jacobs Loft by phone at 519-586-3289 or check out their website for more details at www.jacobsloft.com. You can email Jacob Vanderschee directly at jacob@jacobsloft.com with any questions you may have.

 

- The Staff at theweddingring.ca

 

*prices are all approximate & are subject to change and verification by authorized staff and management of Jacobs Loft

* photo at top right, and photo on right with four doves flying courtesy of Memories in the Making