NOVEMBER 2025
UNION + GRAIN LAUNCH
"Actually being happy is far more important than appearing to be."
Written by Jalisa Martin
Union + Grains has launched! Thank you so much for visiting the U+G Journal. I am your Wedding & Event Content Creator here to document the candid chapters of your story. If you have not had a chance to review the booking page, I was a Wedding Planner & Coordinator for 10 years. I have worked with many vendors and understand the event industry while embracing all its challenging, creative, complex moments. Understanding the nature of a Wedding or any event for that matter is crucial when in this business. To work in the event industry, there must be passion and the desire to truly see your customers happy. To expect the unexpected and to have back up plans on back up plans haha. Being a professional in this industry has truly given me advantage and calmness to this career path into Wedding & Event Content Creation. One thing i always like to share is, a timeline is a guide, not a rule. Actually being happy is far more important than appearing to be. Also spend that with your guest, especially your elders, appreciate that time from the special friend that flew miles to be with you. This is not the day to pretend but to celebrate who you are and those in your life. My goal as a Wedding Planner is very similar as a content creator, Memories first. As a Wedding Coordinator, my job is to make sure my couple enjoys their day, I remember those little details you may have missed, as your so focused on your special day. As a content creator, I want to film those little details, capture your happiness, your tears, your natural being and hand it to you to share with your loved ones for a lifetime. I find with content creation, it helps you remember why life is so precious and really remember how lucky you are. Thank you for reading U + G first entry! Looking forward to writing so much more!
DECEMBER 2025
THE MISSION
" This is about you and me and what makes us happy."
Written by Jalisa Martin
It has officially been a full month since the launching of Union + Grain. Social media has brought me a plethora of fellow content creators and im just so impressed and excited to see what the new year holds for us. As mentioned before, I absolutely love all kinds of photography and videography. I find myself not wanting to shy away from the term videographer or calling my videos, films---because thats what they are! I would hope not to offend wedding photographers and videographers by giving myself this title. We are all artist, the equipment is not what makes us a anything, its who we are. I film genuine moments on my camera. So i say all of this to say that my brand has a mission. The mission is to film chapters of peoples lives. We all have our preferences. Capturing your moment is the mission. Nothing else. Now as you can see this read is a bit all over the place haha but i hope it also shows you that i am human too and connecting with you guys is far more important than deceiving you into thinking im not a artist with a lot to say about this amazingly layered industry. Happy Holidays you guys and remember it's not about appearing to be in the moment. Its about being in the moment.
JANUARY 2026
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
" your style of photographs and videos and those who come to you, typically are your people."
Written by Jalisa Martin
HAPPY NEW YEARS! How are we in 2026? I had some time to truly think about what the goals of 2026 will be for Union + Grain. Although U+G is fairly new, I am still super optomistic about landing my first couple or client for my services. Going from Wedding & event planning, coordination to the camera is a wild ride. There is still quite of bit of planning that goes into content creation. The difference is that content creation allows more room to get creative, artistic, experiment and much more. I love that you can put out into the world, your style of photographs and videos and those who come to you, typically are your people haha, with being a planner and coordinator, you really dont know until you knows so all in all i love this industry and I cant wait to see what this year holds for Union + Grain, thanks so much for taking time out to read my bumbling journal haha and again, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
FEBRUARY 2026
WHO DO I THINK I AM
. "I am devoted, kind and I love listening to my couples"
Written by Jalisa Martin
We are officially into the second month of 2026! It has only been a few week and each day im feeling more and more excited about content creation. Heres the thing, content creation is what a lot of us have been doing for years, its just not it has this trending name. When i think about content creation, i think about creativity and personal expression. I have been putting myself out there and getting to know other professionals in the content community. Just a few artist id like to mention from Instagram are Kyleigh (The Edit District) https://www.instagram.com/theeditdistrict/. Her work is absolutely phenomenal, chic, endearing and magical. You can learn more about her business here https://www.theeditdistrict.com/about. Another creator that I am absolutely obsessed with is Vivi https://www.instagram.com/contentbyvivi/. Her smile can light up a room, her art makes you feel warm, like your there in the moment with her couple. Her colors are so engaging and whimsical , Shes just super talented! Finding these special and unique creators allowed me to think more about my art, what I do and who do I think I am in this industry? I am a very personal, empathetic and sympathetic individual. I am devoted, kind and I love listening to my couples "over-share" their life, their memories. I love being a safe space for my couples and even at time, other vendors to be vulnerable. When people feel safe with you, its breeds sincerity and that creates a beautiful experience. I started out in this industry thinking about how to cater to my clients, but now things have changed, I want to cater to my clients but I also want to cater to myself and do what makes me feel good. I want to be proud of what I put out, and stand behind my principles. That means in addition to me hearing "no" at times, I can say and should say no as well. Its not about the money, its not about the reviews, its about the experience, quality of life. I vowed that any project I take on, its because i am 100% passion about it. Thats who i think i am ;)
MARCH 2026
ALEXANDRIA AND ERIC
" They were open to my shenanigans"
Written by Jalisa Martin
March has been lovely! (Confusing weather but lovely) I had the honor of documenting Alexandria and Erics Engagement session! We shot at Woodlawn Manor in Sandy Spring, Maryland with romantic winds, it was perfect temperature and the sun was shining. Alexandria is one of the most sweetest people i have ever met, Eric was so outgoing and hilarious. They were open to my shenanigans, and it was a ball. To have them as my first official client was a dream come true, and for anyone wanting to get to get started---in anything really! Always believe in yourself. I started my first business Celebrations by Jalisa (Wedding Officiant Service) from the ground up, I had no idea what i was doing and I just wanted my first review lol. Here I am 200 reviews. 2 more businesses later. Always believe in yourself and I am so excited to book with them for their wedding this year. Cheers to a wonderful year!