Testimonials

Community

June 17, 2016
On behalf of the planning team for the 25th anniversary of the Summer Retreat at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC, please accept our sincere appreciation for the excellent service Asheville White Dove Releases provided to us. As we ended this retreat after 25 years, we felt the need to provide a sign of hope and encouragement and felt a dove release would be an appropriate sending forth. We are so fortunate to have found you. The tribute was meaningful, the doves were beautiful, and your professionalism was outstanding. I understand you made several training trips before the event to assure your birds would find their way home. Thank you so very much for helping us celebrate and bring closure to our retreat. Lola Thomas, Chair

June 29, 2015
Dear Ms. Gaunt: On behalf of the Buncombe County Veterans Council and the Charles George VA Medical Center, we thank you for your participation in the Memorial Day Program held May 25, 2015.
Sincerely yours Alyce Knaflich, Chair, Buncombe County Veterans Council and Cynthia Breyfogle, Fache, Medical Center Dirctor

Sept. 12, 2012
Dear Julia, I have seen you do the dove releases on several occasions and have always been impressed by your openness, directness, sincerity and compassion towards who-ever or what-ever is being acknowledge with the release. Each time, it's been a joy. Thank you for being who you are and doing what you do in your own distinctive way to to offer joy and styling warmth to the world...You are a gift and I am grateful. Howard Hanger

Weddings

October, 2013
My daugher and her groom used a dove release to signify the Unity Ceremony during their wedding this weekend and it was absolutely beautiful. Our wedding guests have been so complimentary of the use of the doves as part of the wedding. The release of the doves, along with the dove poetry reading, was a unique and wonderful way to demonstrate the couples new beginning together. Thank you for providing this wonderful service!
Yvette Smith
June, 2013
Thank you so much for everything! The White Dove Release out of Asheville is a wonderful idea that everybody should experience, especially for a wedding. Julia was amazing and helped me and my husband get comfortable with holding the doves, because my husband was a little nervous. She made our day even more special for us and our guests. The doves were a beautiful, added touch.
Chelsea Lydeen

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Dear Julia, Kurt and I want to thank you for blessing our wedding ceremony with the dove release. Watching your beautiful doves take off, gather & then fly home was an incredibly touching experience. We also loved the beautiful arbor you provided. Thanks for being a part of our day. Wendy & Kurt Schumacher/ Sept. 2006.


Julia, Thank you for being a part of our special day. The doves were a wonderful way to end such a blessed event! Phil & Nancy/ Nov. 2006


Julia, I wanted to take a moment to thank you again for making our wedding such a special day. The dove release was amazing and everyone loved it!!! I am sorry we didn't get a chance to introduce ourselves but that probably happens a lot. Again, thank you and the doves! Sincerely, Joyce/ June 2008


Dear Julia and the birds of course! We just wanted to write and thank you for gracing us with your presence at our ceremony. The dove release was simply magical and while the trees presented a few challenges. It was a beautiful experience to witness each bird make his or her way up to the light. We also feel truly honored that you stayed for the picnic afterwards. We wish you enormous success with your endeavors. What you provide is truly a gift and we love you for it. Love, light, & peace, Lisa, Deena, Zoe & Noah/ 2008


Julia, Thank you for such a wonderful blessing of doves on our special day. This was the "cherry on top" for us and we thank you so much for this experience! Stacie & David 2008


Thank you Julia, the doves were the highlight of our wedding. It was absolutely beautiful. Billy, myself and the others will never forget that moment. Thank you for all you did, it was greatly appreciated! Sincerely, Mr. & Mrs. Bradley, Nola Kaufman & Jenny Kaufman November 2010


Dear Julia, Rose, my daughter was married April 2nd. We surprised her with doves, it was the highlight of the wedding! Jeannie Cleary Cortellino April, 2011


Untitled2 Marry Me Military/ Buncombe County/ November 2012
Thank you for your generous donation to operation Marry Me Military Buncombe County. Your beautiful doves created a magical & spiritual experience for the day and we so appreciate you being part of the day!

Kathy & Kelly 2012 / UpstyledSetting.com


Funerals and Memorials

May 2016
The White Dove Release Julia did for our family was absolutely wonderful. It was a nice way to honor the one year anniversary of the death of our loved one. Julia was professional, kind and thoughtful during the entire process. The Release was very meaningful to everyone who attended the event. I had never attended a Dove Release and didn't know exactly what to expect. It certainly exceeded my expectations. The music and poem we chose made the day very special. I highly recommend a Dove Release as a way to honor your loved ones. HSB
April 2016
This was the most spectacular experience I've seen in a long time!. We had a "celebration of life" service for my mother in Highlands N.C. I arranged to have a single white dove released to signify my mothers soul ascending to heaven on the wings of the dove. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and moving ceremony. Julia had a very beautiful presentation in which she gathered us around the basket that held the dove and talked about the significance of the doves flight,then read a most beautiful poem with Amazing Grace playing in the back ground. After my sister opened the basket, the dove took flight and circled the cemetery and flew away into the distance. Julia informed us the dove would fly back to its home in Asheville N.C. She even brought a separate dove for the children in attendance to touch and hold. She also sent me an email to let me know that the dove arrived safe and sound back home. Everyone present commented to me that it was the most beautiful service they'd ever experienced. Julia Gaunt did an amazing job and I would very highly recommend this service to anyone who would like to witness this amazing service. Lisa B.
June 2014
Thank you so much - the doves were beautiful. I've had several comments about how special the whole celebration was, with mention of the dove release and how unique that was. Thanks again, Lisa Shelton
November, 2013
Thank you so much for your part in the service for Colbert. It was beautiful and added so much, I just wish Colbet could have seen it! Thank you again. Pattie Pulman
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Sept.12,2013
Julia,
It was truly a pleasure to meet you today. The white dove release at Bennie's service touched everyone in a special, personal way. I certainly will recommend you whenever & wherever I can. May our Lord bless you abundantly!
Kindest regards,
Joni Hartsell
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March 2013
Julia, thank you for a professional service with the doves. The family was very pleased. I hope to do business with you in the future.
Wilson Funeral Directors, Inc. 610 Yarborough Street Hendersonville,NC Jennifer Wilson/Paul Wilson

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Summer 2012
Julia, Thank you so much, the Doves make things so beautiful and Special.
Linda Jorgensen

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Julia, the dove release was a beautiful thing for all that got the chance to view it. My sister commented the other day that when she sees what she believes are white doves in the sky she thinks fondly of my father as they pass by. I don't think she would have that comfort had you not provided this service to us. The dove release was a very special part of the service and I hope others in that situation are able to use your services when the time comes. When we look back on my Father's service, I think that everyone will remember the Dove release as a special part of the day. I am thankful that your were able to provide it to us. Sincerely, Tanya Scroggs/ May 2007 __________________________________________________________________


Dear Julia, My heart is over flowing with thanks to you for coming to Peachtree UMC with your beautiful birds to give such a meaningful ending to my husband, Bob's service. I am also thankful to God for giving us such a gorgeous day. I thank Him also fore giving you this mission to help those of us through a sad time to have such a wonderful memory. God bless you.Sincerely,Gretchen Timmons March, 2008

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Dear Ms.Gaunt, Thank you so much for bringing your doves to John's celebration. Seeing them wheeling above really made my heart sing. With gratitude, Pat Scheible, Gwenn, Tom, Trevor, Lydia and Chris/ Sept. 2008

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Dear Ms.Gaunt, The release of your lovely doves was the icing on the cake at my husband's funeral. It was just beautifully dignified. Thank you, Mrs. G. Ciszak / 2008

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Dear Ms.Gaunt, Thank you so very much for your tribute at Mama's service. The symbolism of the soul of Mama and the Trinity was very moving and we have had several comments from people who saw it for the first time. We feel this is a definite mission service which you provide and that it gives a lot of peace to the family to see a loved one's soul unite with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and take flight toward the Heavens. May God Bless You! The Bea Hall Family/ February, 2009

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Julia, The Trinity Release presented at my husband's memorial service was beautiful and very meaningful. I would recommend it to anyone! Cheryl Black/ October 2010

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The dove release was perfect! It added such a calming and uplifting comfort to our family and for our friends. Our mother loved doves and we know in our hearts that the service you provided put a smile on her face as she joined the love of her life in heaven. She always said doves mate for life and that is how she felt about our Dad. You are so appreciated and we thank you very much!
Nola, Judy, & Matthew/ The Stone Family / December 2010

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Julia, I want to thank you for the dove release at my mother's funeral, and for letting me say a few words before releasing them. It transformed into a beautiful ending to a wonderful life and was very special to all who knew my Mom and our Family. Sincerely Day Rathbone/ 2011


Special Events

June 6th, 2013. What a lovely gesture to include us as a part of the beautiful dove release at the recent Blue Ridge meeting! We were so impressed with your presentation and hope to find many opportunities to refer you. Thank you for a touching reminder of our 25th anniversary! Warmly Tim and Beth Thrift

April 19 th , 2013. My experiences of The White Dove Release at community events and personally have been profound. Truly an awe moment, an experience I encourage all to have. Fatimah' Shabazz

March-2013
Hi, Julia. I remember seeing your doves in Woodfin a few years back when I worked for Jan Leach at Feather Your Nest. It was a sight to behold. All those white birds circling around in a blue, blue sky. Just gorgeous!! Thank you for the amazing experience you provide. Sally Butcher


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Dear Ms. Gaunt, I am writing to personally thank you for your willingness to provide the White Dove Release at the Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 28th at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain, NC. It truly was a beautiful day to remember, honor and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation. The Memorial Day Ceremony was a tremendous success and your "White Dove Release" added a special moment of remembrance.
Sincerely yours, Cynthia Breyfogle,Fache/ Medical Center Director


Dear Ms. Gaunt, All of us at Sardis wish to "Thank You" for participating in our 2nd annual craft fair. The release of the doves was such an inspiring experience. Words can't express all the feelings you experience as you watch the beautiful birds resting in the cages then begin their flight; watching as they fly free, circling high in the sky and then disappearing from sight. Everyone truly enjoyed the release of the doves. Again we THANK YOU and wish you a joyous and wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Sardis United Methodist Church
Sincerely, Janet Redmon/ Sardis Treasurer/ Dec. 2006


Spring Event/ Givens Estate/ May 2011. We really enjoyed the dove release. The symbolism was great. Watching the birds was fun. It was fascinating to all generations - I said that since we had 90 year olds and kids there. We will have you again sometime for sure. Susan Goforth / Director of care facility


75172_1336653476179_538180_n April 25, 2011
I've been involved with Asheville White Dove Releases and have been blessed to be part of a number of ceremonies and dove releases. I hope everyone will consider using Doves on special occasions, weddings, moves, funerals, celebrations. They really add a beautiful touch to the whole thing.
Rose Marie Schilling-Motter of King Bio Natural Medicine

3 comments

  1. Charles & Rita Stephenson says:

    Dear Julia, Thank you so much for being a part of our wedding day. The dove ceremony was simply beautiful. The meaning of the ceremony was so touching. I'm glad that
    we had the three doves released in memory of our loved ones also...it was so special and meant a lot to us. It was a pleasure working with you. I highly recommend your services to anyone. Thank you, Thank you!

    • ashe3729 says:

      Rita and Charles, it was such a pleasure meeting you both and participating in your wedding ceremony. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me and all who read your thoughtful testimonial
      Julia.

  2. Julia - My daugher and her groom used a dove release to signify the Unity Ceremony during their wedding this weekend and it was absolutely beautiful. Our wedding guests have been so complimentary of the use of the doves as part of the wedding. The release of the doves, along with the dove poetry reading, was a unique and wonderful way to demonstrate the couples new beginning together. Thank you for providing this wonderful service!
    Yvette Smith recently posted... Spread the word...and we will spread our wings! My Profile

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