Get to know the faces behind emily jordan events
Leading with expertise and heart
A few years later a friend asked me to help her plan her wedding. I said yes without hesitation and in that process, Emily Jordan Events was born.
After one particularly chaotic wedding involving a smoke alarm, I affirmed what I already felt to be true: thoughtful preparation, steady leadership, and genuine care make all the difference. Emily Jordan Events was built on that belief. We create beautiful experiences while offering reassurance, clarity, and calm at every step.
This is our work. And it’s exactly where we’re meant to be.
Long before Emily Jordan Events existed, I was drawn to planning and leadership. In college, I organized fundraisers and social events, naturally stepping in whenever logistics were involved. I loved shaping an idea, aligning the details, and watching it come to life.
One evening, a friend casually asked if I had ever considered becoming a wedding planner. It was a simple question, but it lingered. What if creating meaningful experiences could be more than something I loved to do? What if it could be my work?
That curiosity led to my first internship with an event design company in Atlanta, and the following summer, I interned with a wedding planning company.
Some paths don’t begin with certainty. They begin with curiosity and the quiet confidence to say yes before everything is figured out.
xo, Jordan
get to know the team behind your next event
Lead Planner & Designer
Sydney
Lead Planner & Designer
Caitlin
Founder, Principal Planner, Designer
Jordan
Lead Planner & Designer
Ashley
click to learn more about the team
Founder, Principal Planner, Designer
Jordan Xu
Poised, thoughtful, and quietly authoritative, Jordan Xu brings a calming presence and intentional leadership to every celebration she designs. As Founder and Principal Planner & Designer of Emily Jordan Events, she has spent more than a decade guiding clients through meaningful, complex events with clarity and grace. Since launching the company in 2012, Jordan has planned and executed more than 160 weddings, corporate, nonprofit, and social events across the East Coast, expanding operations throughout Georgia and North Carolina. Known for balancing creative vision with logistical precision, she leads a talented team of planners and designers while creating a planning experience that feels seamless, supportive, and deeply personal.
A graduate of Emory University and the Savannah College of Art and Design, Jordan’s background in the arts and community-centered work informs her belief that thoughtfully designed gatherings foster connection and storytelling. A respected educator and industry leader, she is the founder of Jordan Xu Edu, a Wedding MBA speaker, a two-time Allie Award recipient, and a former President of WIPA Atlanta. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Los Angeles Times, and Modern Luxury Weddings Atlanta. At the heart of it all is her commitment to steady leadership, thoughtful communication, and creating celebrations built on trust, care, and ease.
LEad Planner, designer
Caitlin Keesee
Graceful, intuitive, and endlessly creative, Caitlin Keesee approaches every celebration with equal parts artistry and heart. Since joining Emily Jordan Events in 2014 and stepping into her role as Lead Planner and Designer in 2017, she has guided couples through the planning journey with calm confidence — transforming vision into atmosphere and complexity into clarity. With a background in Sociology and Community Building from Emory University and early experience in nonprofit event planning, Caitlin believes that thoughtfully designed gatherings foster connection, trust, and joy. That bridge between purpose and beauty defines her relational, deeply personal planning style.
Caitlin most enjoys working with couples who value collaboration and trust the creative process. Known for her steady presence and warm, grounding energy, she becomes a true partner, advocating for her clients’ vision while holding every detail with care. Whether curating timelines, navigating logistics, or guiding intentional design decisions, she creates guest-centered celebrations that feel authentically “you.” For Caitlin, each wedding is more than a single day — it’s a meaningful memory built on trust, connection, and intention.
LEad Planner, designer
Sydney Wood
Warm, energetic, and deeply people-centered, Sydney brings a hospitality-first mindset to every celebration she plans. A Lead Planner and Designer based in Atlanta, she has coordinated more than 100 events — from private dinners and corporate gatherings to bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings, her true specialty. Originally from West Palm Beach, she began her career at Walt Disney World Resort before joining the Four Seasons, where her passion for exceptional guest experiences and thoughtful service ultimately led her into event planning. From that moment on, she knew she had found her niche.
Known for her professionalism, joyful energy, and collaborative spirit, Sydney works closely with families and trusted vendor partners to create seamless, stress-free celebrations. She excels at anticipating guest needs, navigating complex logistics, and ensuring every detail — seen and unseen — contributes to a welcoming, elevated experience.
Outside of event days, Sydney enjoys traveling, attending concerts and shows, spending time with her niece, and savoring a great cup of coffee—or a glass of wine—with family and friends. At the heart of everything she does is a genuine love for people, and a belief that the most memorable events are those where guests feel truly cared for and fully present in the moment.
Lead Planner & Designer
Ashley McLaughlin
Energetic, polished, and deeply detail-driven, Ashley McLaughlin brings a thoughtful, hospitality-focused approach to every event she plans. With experience spanning weddings, corporate events, milestone celebrations, and intimate gatherings, she creates elevated experiences that feel seamless and personal. A Texas native and graduate of the University of Alabama, Ashley began her career at Modern Luxury in 2016, building strong industry relationships before transitioning to one of Atlanta’s most well-known venues, where she spent several years planning and executing unforgettable events. It was there that her passion for refined design, thoughtful details, and joyful celebrations truly came to life.
Known for her clear communication, intentional style, and ability to make complex events feel effortless, Ashley approaches each celebration with care and purpose—allowing clients to relax and stay fully present in their most meaningful moments. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and savoring the simple joys that bring balance and inspiration to her life.
the emily jordan events approach
At Emily Jordan Events, we believe your event should feel intentional and unforgettable. Our team is your behind-the-scenes support system - balancing thoughtful design and flawless logistics. No two events we plan are ever the same because no two clients are the same. We listen closely, plan meticulously, and bring your vision to life with modern elegance, warm professionalism, and a deep respect for your time, energy, and values.
This is more than just an event, it’s a milestone.
Let’s make it unforgettable.
