Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Doree Haight. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Doree, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea for The Haight was born out of a very personal search—my husband and I were looking for a unique venue to get married. We’re not cookie-cutter people, and nothing we found felt like us. We searched all over—across Chicago, even into Wisconsin—and couldn’t find a space that felt special or different enough to match the experience we wanted to create.
That’s when my then-fiancé turned to me and said, “Doesn’t your family have that old warehouse building in Elgin? Why don’t we just renovate that?” And honestly, something clicked.
My father had passed away in 2010, and he absolutely loved a good party—he brought energy, laughter, and joy to every celebration. The idea of transforming our family’s warehouse into a wedding venue felt like the perfect way to honor him. I could immediately see the potential. The exposed brick, wood beams, and history of the building gave it so much character—it was raw, authentic, and full of possibility. It was everything the banquet halls weren’t.
We had just nine months to pull it off—but both sides of our families came together in a way I’ll never forget. It truly became a family business. My mom is now our landlord. My sister and brother are my business partners. My husband runs our payroll company, and his brothers are our accountants. It wasn’t just a passion project—it became a full-fledged team effort, a labor of love deeply rooted in family ties.
We rolled up our sleeves, poured our hearts into every inch of the space, and made it happen—just in time for our own wedding.
And we weren’t the only ones craving something different. We quickly realized so many couples were looking for a space that felt like them. We weren’t just creating a venue—we were creating an experience, an atmosphere, and a blank canvas where people could truly tell their story. That’s what made it all feel so worthwhile.
What excited us most was the chance to bring something truly different to the suburban market—something industrial yet warm, personal yet stylish. It has a touch of the city, a lot of heart, and none of the “same old” feel. We weren’t solving a problem in the traditional sense—but we were absolutely filling a gap. And doing it in a way that’s grounded in family, legacy, and love.
That’s how The Haight began—and that spirit still lives in everything we do today.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I officially stepped into the wedding and events industry after planning my own wedding. The idea for The Haight was sparked during that process, and once we pulled off our wedding in the space, we had to ask ourselves—should we keep going with this? The answer from everyone around us was a resounding yes.
People couldn’t stop talking about how different and stylish the venue was—how it had heart. It wasn’t your standard banquet hall. It had soul, it had history, and it had that unique, urban-meets-intimate vibe that’s hard to find in the suburbs. That encouragement gave us the confidence to move forward and turn this into a full-time business.
At The Haight, we’re more than just a venue—we’re your support team, your timeline managers, your extra hands on the biggest day of your life. What truly sets us apart is the level of service we provide. Our team is present for the full journey, not just your event. From your first question to your final meeting to your rehearsal and all the way through your wedding day, we are there. Not just in a back office. We’re on the floor with you, making sure things go smoothly, handling your vendors, assisting your guests, bustling your dress, calming your nerves. Whatever you need, we’re already on it.
A lot of venues try to sell you on “savings”—The real value is peace of mind. Our approach is designed to make your planning process simpler. We want you to enjoy getting ready for your day—and love every minute of the day itself—without worrying about what’s missing.
Our services include not only a stunning and versatile event space—with indoor and outdoor ceremony options, cocktail hour spaces, and a heated rooftop deck—but also experienced coordination, thoughtful vendor partnerships, customizable bar packages, and in-house decor rentals. We’ve created a seamless experience for couples who want their day to feel effortless, beautiful, and completely their own.
What I’m most proud of is our team. We’re a family-run business, and that sense of family extends to our clients. We genuinely care about every single event and every couple who walks through our doors. There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing “You made our day better than we could have imagined.”
So if you’re looking for a venue with character, heart, and a team that truly shows up for you, The Haight is the place. We’ve got you, every step of the way.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Our best source of new clients has absolutely been our past couples.
They rave about the level of service and the overall experience they had here at The Haight—especially when they compare it to friends who chose other venues. We often hear stories of guests or friends saying, “We should’ve booked The Haight instead—it would’ve saved us so much stress and money.”
We’re incredibly lucky to attract the best clients—fun, creative, and full of personality. No two weddings ever look the same here, and we love that. It’s their word-of-mouth, glowing reviews, and heartfelt referrals that continue to bring in couples who are looking for a space that’s not only beautiful but backed by a team that truly goes above and beyond.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Like so many in the event industry, COVID forced us to pivot—and fast. We had to completely reimagine what a wedding day could look like. How do you deliver a once-in-a-lifetime celebration when couples couldn’t have the day they’d been planning for 1–2 years?
We got creative. We partnered with our couples to design a day that honored their love and vision while staying within the constantly changing restrictions. That meant everything from intimate elopements with a bigger celebration later, to micro weddings, phased weddings where older guests attended earlier and the party crowd came later, and rooftop ceremonies that gave couples the comfort of an outdoor setting.
We pivoted and then pivoted again. It was one of the hardest chapters in our business, but we gave everything we had to our clients, and those moments of resilience and connection are still some of the most meaningful in our history.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehaightelgin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehaight/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehaight166/
- Twitter: https://x.com/thehaightelgin
Image Credits
Fox & Ivory