Unforgettable
Planners
Atlanta Event Planners
Our Brand Story
You can attend trainings, you can read books and blogs, you can watch webinars, and you can get hands-on experience with other planners, but when you are leading a wedding or event, it all comes down to you.
Only two years into my career as a wedding and event planner, I faced a wedding day crisis that no book could prepare me for. It was a beautiful October afternoon. The deck on the 28th floor of the building in Midtown Atlanta provided the perfect backdrop for a flawless ceremony. Cocktails had been enjoyed, pictures were taken, and everyone was seated for dinner.
As I head into the reception space, the fire alarm goes off and moments later, a chef is coming out of the venue’s kitchen putting on a fire marshal vest. He notifies me that we must evacuate the guests as a small fire has broken out on the 16th floor of the building.
This was it – the moment that would separate me from novice level and put me in expert level. How I handled the next 15 minutes would alter my career path. Approaching the DJ, I asked him to announce to our guests that we would in fact need to evacuate in a calm and collected fashion. I collected the bride and began to escort her to the stairs.
All 120 guests began to follow myself and the bride down those 28 flights of stairs. As we descended, a plan began to form. I decided to assume we would not make it back into the building and would need an alternative reception location. Luckily, the couple had selected the hotel next door as a room block hotel. By the time we reached the street, I was ready to take action.
I led the guests to the lobby of the hotel and encouraged them to find a seat in the lounge area. I approached the front desk and asked to speak to the manager on duty. It was time to put on my biggest smile as this was not likely to be an ask he wanted to hear. When he arrived, I explained the situation and asked if their onsite ballroom was open for the evening. Unfortunately, the ballroom was still in use, but he said it would be clear within an hour and a half. I asked him to fire up some appetizers to serve to the guests and began to research local pizza places to see who could get us a large order of pizza within the next hour.
About 45 minutes later, at the same time the hotel ballroom opened up, the fire department declared the building safe and we began escorting guests to the elevators of the venue to return to the reception. The chefs were still able to complete dinner preparations providing guests with a delicious meal, the DJ and photo/video team were able to set back up, and the venue and vendors all agreed to extend their contracts an hour to make up for the lost hour of adventure.
Even though the full plan did not have to take effect, I was ready. And that’s how I approach every situation within the planning process. Life around you does not stop when you are planning a major event – whether that is during the planning process or on the day of the event. And that’s where I come in. I am ready to provide that peace of mind and give my clients the celebration they have been dreaming of.
Each member of our team is empowered to be creative and problem solve through any issues that arise either during the planning process, or on the day of your event. There is nothing our planners cannot tackle. We are Emily Jordan Events.
Scroll down to meet our team
Jordan
Founder | Principal Planner & Designer
Jordan Xu is a Professional Wedding Planner living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with her husband, Jim and their son, Theo. Since founding her company in 2012, Jordan has led over 150 weddings and events throughout the Southeastern United States. This experience allows Jordan to seamlessly design and plan the event of clients’ dreams.
After graduating from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Studies and Sociology, Jordan worked in restaurant special events before spending several years in non-profit fundraising. During that time, she also achieved her Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Savannah College of Art and Design.
As an Atlanta event planner, Jordan has been featured for her work and expertise in Martha Stewart Weddings, Modern Luxury Weddings Atlanta, The Knot Georgia, The Celebration Society, Wedding Planner Magazine, Borrowed & Blue, and Brown Sparrow Wedding. Her company has been named to The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame, and selected as Wedding Wire Couples Choice nine times. She was named a Top 10 Event Planning Expert and received two Diamond Awards in the Best Wedding category from Modern Luxury Weddings Atlanta. She has been nominated for six Allie Awards and won in 2023 for Best Wedding Team Effort. She currently serves as the President for the Atlanta Chapter of Wedding International Professionals Association, and as the Chair for the 34th Allie Awards.
When not planning events for Emily Jordan Events clients, Jordan can be found serving her community through the Junior League, as a board member for the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, and as an International Officer for her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.
Caitlin
Lead planner
Caitlin Keesee began assisting weddings for Emily Jordan Events in 2014 and has been an Associate Planner since 2017. As a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, Caitlin is passionate about and committed to helping people. She is a connector who loves to bring people together. In and out of her professional life, she is always finding herself in the middle of planning fun and memorable events for the people around her. After graduating from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus on Community Building and Social Change, she has leveraged her background in non-profit event planning and volunteer coordination to create a coordination style uniquely her own. She specializes in providing that personal touch and handling stressful situations with grace.
When not working as an Atlanta event planner, she loves trying new restaurants, live theater, and cooking for friends. In her free time, you can find her perusing museums, snuggled up with a good book, or scheduling her next travel destination. Most of all, Caitlin loves weddings, with the moment of the couple’s grand exit being her favorite. All the planning and stress are now a “dream come true.” She looks forward to connecting with you and helping create the event of your dreams.
Sydney
Lead planner
Sydney Woods is an Associate Planner living in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog Sasha. Since moving to Atlanta she has coordinated over 100 events that range from private dinners, corporate, mitzvahs and weddings.
Sydney grew up in sunny Palm Beach, Florida and then went on to study Psychology at the University of Central Florida. While living in Orlando she worked for Walt Disney World Resort where she quickly fell in love with the hospitality industry. Shortly she gained employment with the Four Seasons hotels and resorts where she relocated to Wyoming and then in 2017, to Atlanta. When Sydney is not bustling a wedding gown or creating a timeline, she enjoys volunteering around metro-Atlanta, shopping, enjoying a nice cup of coffee or time with family and friends!
Sydney’s true passion is people. She prides herself in being able to make connections with her clients and deliver spectacular service as an Atlanta event planner. She loves to be able to make her clients’ dreams come to life!
LOVE STORIES
