<![CDATA[Canyon Run Ranch - Ohio Historic Wedding Venue & Barn - Blog]]>Fri, 01 May 2026 19:20:46 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Canyon Run Ranch Supports Environmental Advocates]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:54:33 GMThttps://www.ohiobarnweddings.com/blog/canyon-run-ranch-supports-environmental-advocates]]><![CDATA[The hope of Spring]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:41:07 GMThttps://www.ohiobarnweddings.com/blog/the-hope-of-spring
What a strange world that we live in. In days, Covid 19 has changed the world as we know it. While doing all we can to control the spread of the virus, let's not lose our optimism. I always look for the silver lining whenever a catastrophy occurs.  Will the global implications of Covid 19 help us to view our lives as shared by all who occupy the planet? Will it help us to see that the actions in one community affects all of us? Will it induce each of us to create positive ripples in the world? I hope so.
]]><![CDATA[Going Off-Grid (almost) Solar Array on it's way!]]>Fri, 27 Dec 2019 12:09:14 GMThttps://www.ohiobarnweddings.com/blog/going-off-grid-almost-solar-array-on-its-wayPictureKristen & Nathan, wedding date May 16, 2020.
It has been my life's goal to live simply, sustainably, and off the grid..  I have been troubled  by our impact on the environment since watching documentaries in Mr. Knapke's fifth grade social studies classroom.  Escalated by the reversal of environmental protections by our current government, it is time to take action. We are installing a solar array this spring to power Canyon Run Ranch in it's entirety.
Gary is an outdoorsman, I am a tree-hugger. We have different motivations, but the same goal.
We want Canyon Run Ranch to be a safe, friendly and welcoming space for Ohio wildlife, plantlife and humans.
I was impressed that the farm had a well that provided an endless supply of clean water, (We installed a state-of-the-art UV water purification system this past summer) There is a boiler system powered by the dead trees that cover the 82 acres of woods. All we needed was to produce our own electrical power, and with 153 acres, all options were available, wind, water, solar.  
My research led me to abandon my first choice, hydro-power.  The technology isn't practical just yet.  I contact OGW in Tipp City, met with Ray Davis, and wrote the check to get the system started.  Solar power isn't off grid, but it is sustainable and a happy life involves compromise.
We plan to be powered by the sun in time for our first wedding of the 2020 season!
]]><![CDATA[New Photo Booth - Olive You Photo Camper]]>Sun, 30 Dec 2018 14:38:27 GMThttps://www.ohiobarnweddings.com/blog/new-photo-booth-olive-you-photo-camperI purchased a tiny, egg-shaped fiberglass trailer last year to  be used as a fun and funky photo booth, It is in the body shop right now getting a coat of olive paint with red accents.  It is going to be called "olive you photo camper" and it is going to so darn cute, no one will be able to resist it's charm.
I need to run over there and snap a photo of the work in progress, but for now, here are some before photos.
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Getting ready to head to Tony's Body Shop for a fresh new look!
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]]><![CDATA[Winter is upon us]]>Sun, 30 Dec 2018 14:14:37 GMThttps://www.ohiobarnweddings.com/blog/winter-is-upon-usChristmas comes with marriage proposals and my inbox is filling up with inquiries.  Happily, we have some dates available, and may be able to add more.  We have a pending decision on our current wedding permit, that could open up many exciting opportunities for us. I will keep you posted. . .
My scheduling is filling up with tours.  I just wish the sun would shine and the rain would stop.  Couples need to wear their rose-colored glasses to see the potential the property holds once spring comes around again to green everything up.  The transition amazes me each spring.


]]><![CDATA[New Art at CRR]]>Thu, 03 May 2018 13:42:51 GMThttps://www.ohiobarnweddings.com/blog/new-art-at-crrGary and I are always looking for creative solutions to any problems that we foresee.  One problem is that it is easy to miss the entrance to the Woods from Rangeline Road, causing wedding guests to turn around in the neighbor's driveway.  We like our neighbors and we want our guests to easily find that gravel lane that leads to the parking area right outside of the woods.
My solution is a bigger sign, but we are allowed to put up a bigger sign.  Gary's solution is to build a sculpture that no one can miss.  Much better idea, don't you agree?
And for those who don't know my husband Gary, let me just say that he only knows to "go big. . ." : )
The sculpture is finished, and should be installed next week for all to see.  In the meantime, here is a photo of Tyrell (our right-hand man) welding on the sculpture last month.
​Keep an eye out for the finished product!
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]]><![CDATA[A Note on Sustainability, a goal at Canyon Run Ranch]]>Tue, 13 Mar 2018 16:02:22 GMThttps://www.ohiobarnweddings.com/blog/a-note-on-sustainability-a-goal-at-canyon-run-ranchWhen I first visited the beautiful acreage of Canyon Run Ranch in the winter of 2010, I could see the realization of my dream, to build an off-grid home on a south-facing hillside above a waterway. What I didn’t imagine was that this property would become a destination for couples seeking a naturally beautiful space to host their rustic weddings.
 
As it turns out, I’ve found my niche in life. There is great joy in witnessing the love and celebrations of hundreds of couples that wed here. Both Gary and myself could not have imagined what Canyon Run Ranch has become, and we are both delighted. We have met so many wonderfully interesting people and take pride in helping them to experience a day of romance and laughter in a place of natural beauty.
 
The weddings have funded improvements to the property.  Here are a few things that we have done to limit our footprint and improve the environmental health of the land:

  • We have converted all of our tillable acreage into fields of wildflowers to attract birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.  This amounts to more than 40 acres of native Ohio wildflowers.
  • Will erect a bluebird trail of nesting boxes to protect this native songbird.
  • We have maintained acres of grasslands as a filter strip along the Stillwater River, protecting our waterways.
  • We cut and treated hundreds of invasive honeysuckle and multi-floral rose to open the woods and the Canyon Run creek, making room for native species.
  • We are working towards the elimination of harmful herbicides and are always experimenting with non-toxic solutions.
  • We use an all-natural insect repellent in the woods that has proven to be very effective against mosquitos and gnats, with a pleasant scent due to the use of the botanical oils of geranium, lemongrass, cedar, citronella, and garlic.
  • We provide reusable décor items to reduce waste and unnecessary hauling.
  • Provide a commercial container for recyclables.
  • Provide trash receptacles for recyclables in the barn.
 
All our building projects keep to the nature of the barn and the surrounding property by using native materials:

  • The floor of the barn is made of cottonwood trees from the property and milled on-site by a neighbor and his portable mill.
  • The natural limestone that lines the Canyon Run creek was used to build the stone wall of the Milk Parlor.
  • The restroom building is built using salvaged doors, hardware, and corrugated metal.  The wood is from the cottonwood left over from the floor project.
  • The farm table in the Milk Parlor is made from one of the majestic ash trees that grew on the property but was killed by the emerald ash borer.
  • The benches in the woods are constructed from the ash wood
  • The signage is primarily made from the logs of the ash and other trees that have perished on the property
 
We have no desire to be preachy, nor or we requiring that you comply with any “green” rules.  We are simply reaching out to all of our wedding participants and asking them to consider their choices of single-use plastic bottles, cutlery, dinnerware and straws. 
 
Craft Event Bar is on board and has eliminated the use of plastic straws.  They have invested in more glassware and a machine to clean them.  They are offering this service at a price that will make it an easy, and responsible choice.
 
One item that we don’t have a good alternate for is bottled water.  Craft Event Bar has invested in a water filtration system to offer purified Canyon Run spring water, but it isn’t as mobile as a plastic bottle.  I am open to suggestions, if you have them. 
 
If you don’t wish to use china, we understand, but there are greener options to plastic plates.  For our daughter’s weddings, we chose compostable paper and palm leaf plates and inexpensive metal cutlery.  I’ve seen cutlery made of sustainable wood too.
 
So, back to the idea of being off-grid, it is still on the table and we are gradually moving in that direction.  In the meantime, we have a more solvable problem, and that has to do with reducing the environmental footprint that we leave here.  Our guests have been very responsible, have shown great respect to the property, and we recognize that everyone values it.  With a little thought and planning, we can make a tangible difference. 
 
We have gotten great advice and suggestions from couples and guests that have celebrated out here, and are always open to any ideas and suggestions.  We’ve come a long way, but know that we could do more.
 
Thank you for reading and for your consideration.
 
Amy Ward

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