Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Schutte.
Hi Denise, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Brent and Denise Schutte are farmer’s in rural Au Gres, Michigan. The historic grain elevator built in the early 1900’s was purchased by the Schutte’s family farm in 1975, it was a working grain elevator at the that time, but then the larger grain system was built and the building sat empty until the mid 1990’s when Brent & Denise converted the space and started the Wolverine Hardwood Pellet business, that business was opened for 7 years. Then in 2021 Denise & Brent started to build their dream home on the elevator property along the Au Gres river and used 2 un-used grain bins with a great room built between them.(see picture below) In the meantime their daughter got engaged and asked if we could host her wedding in the old elevator space. So we started working on the elevator, cleaning out dust from years of corn, beans, and then even more dust from the years it was a pellet plant, we took down some walls and opened the space up. Brooke Schutte married Curtis Blackwell III on September 17, 2022 and that was the beginning of Rivermill Wedding Venue. In 2024 we created the LLC and hired an engineer and architect to help us bring our vision to reality. We had to get approval from the City of Au Gres and Arenac County, bring the building up to code by adding new electric, plumbing, bathrooms, prep kitchen and tearing down another wall to reveal the high ceiling and wood beams. We also added a glass garage door, deck, handicap ramp and 40 x 40 outdoor covered pavilion. We then started advertising and using social media to get the word out and doing “tours” for prospective brides and grooms, we had 2 couples book before any work had been started, and our project was completed in August 2025 and we hosted our first paid wedding on Aug 24, 2025. We had our Open House September 7, 2025 and have 4 weddings booked for 2026 and 5 booked for 2027. We are continuing to do improvements by adding a new Front Entrance and expanding our parking area as well as adding more landscaping and a wedding arch along the river. In the future we will be adding a bridal suite & a grooms suite to be housed in the 2 grain bins on the property. On July 18, 2026 our son, Tyler Schutte & his finance’ Erica Johnson will be married at the Rivermill, we are so looking forward to celebrating them and many future events and weddings!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Their has been some struggles in starting our wedding venue, with getting the building up to code to host public events, getting all the inspections, working on a deadline with contractors, the normal stress. The monetary investment has been stressful and we are certain we will get a return on our investment. Our first official wedding in August 2025 was 350 people ceremony and reception, there were a few minor glitches but all in all the day went well.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Brent has been a life long farmer and Denise worked as the bookeeper and was a travel agent from 1989 to 2020, when Covid hit she gave up that career and started working part time at our local church. And now is doing working the business end of the Rivermill Wedding Venue.
I think what we are most proud of is the history behind our elevator building and restoring it by combing the old with new. This sets us apart from other wedding venues – anyone can build a new barn to make it look old for a wedding venue – but we restored a historic part of our town and created a new business that will bring more business to the Au Gres area.
The Rivermill is located on the Au Gres River, which is a beautiful backdrop for a wedding, we are also withing walking distance to the local campground and 2 hotels in town, as well as a winery and restaurants. So it makes the Rivermill a perfect destination wedding spot!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I would have to say our work ethic and family time, we (my husband, myself, our 2 children and their partners as well as many friends and family) have worked on every aspect of our wedding venue. Without the support from family and friends this dream of ours would not have been possible.
Pricing:
- Friday – Sunday wedding rental $6000
- Saturday only wedding rental $3000
- Other Events $400/4 hours $50 additional per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: rivermillaugres.com
- Instagram: rivermillaugres
- Facebook: Rivermill Wedding Venue
- Other: rivermillwedding@gmail.com EMAIL
