09/11/2011

10 years ago today, like everyone, I watched in horror as our lives and our world changed.

We on the west coast could only witness in horror the immensity of the situation as we were humbled by the bravery of America’s finest: Firemen, Police Officers, First Response and Rescue Workers and everyday Americans as they dealt with so much with dignity, compassion and love. Heroes all.

I was still presiding over weddings at the time and in fact had a ceremony to officiate on Saturday 9/14. The couple decided to continue with the celebration and I was ready to do whatever they wished. The energy starting out that day was a little like waiting for the other shoe to drop but thanks to the fabulous people creating the event [you were amazing that day Ganeene Thorton of Celebrations & Waterfront Weddings] it was a beautiful celebration that everyone there needed.

But on Tuesday and the days following it in that tragic week we in San Diego were waiting. As a prime military target and with no solid information of who, why and what was behind the attacks, many people in our fair city – bookended by Camp Pendleton to the north and a foreign country [love you Mexico!] to the south with the ocean and desert flanking either side and legendary Miramar Air Base in the middle, well you can understand why San Diego was on tenterhooks waiting to see if we might be the next target for terrorist attacks. It was a crazy time all around.

I was also planning the first public Wedding Party Bridal Show scheduled for that Sunday 9/15/2011 at Orfila Vineyards – and after getting through one of the longest days of my life watching the news all day, crying and talking to friends all over the country [there was no Facebook], I was faced with the decision of whether or not go through with the show in a mere 5 days. Ninety percent of the radio & TV advertising I had invested in for the week of the show was naturally pre-empted for news reports, and it seemed everyone knew someone related in some way to someone in the towers.

As an officiant and former counselor, teacher and hospice worker specializing in ritual and healing, my first instinct was to find a way to honor all that was happening, but there had been no time for processing any emotions and things were chaotic at best. I thought it would be best to just reschedule the show; it was small at that time and so I started calling exhibitors. To my surprise every one of these amazing people asked if we could go forward with the show.

To this day the September 2001 show stands out in my memory as one of my all time favorite shows out of 24 produced. It was a day so special, so full of golden light shining on the vines, smiling faces of brides and incredibly caring vendors; a day of living life and feeling the love on a perfect San Diego afternoon with so much energy and joy and with so much to celebrate. Lisa Lippe of Details Defined helped me pull that show together and did an amazing job in the face of a good deal of confusion.

We who are in the ‘business’ of life celebrations are so lucky. We get to play a part in some of the most important moments of peoples’ lives and we get to celebrate life and love with each and every event.

And even though I no longer stand at ceremonies, in my way I get to play a role that I hope matters. I am still honored to be able to bring amazing vendors: the special, the unique, those who really care, together with brides and grooms in San Diego to make a day –a wedding celebration - that is memorable for all the right reasons.

With much love and respect to all of my of San Diego special events industry friends on this the anniversary of 9/11 and especially to those who are a part of any celebration today be it a memorial or commemorative day for the past and for those lost or a day of celebrating the future and love, I give you my respect and gratitude. You too are my heroes.

 Pamela Ann Noxon, Founder & Producer The Wedding Party Bridal Show