L
ove has always been in the cards for Jordan Molly Franks
and Denis Ryan DeMichiel. In 2011, Jordan’s brother Jason
passed away while serving his country in the US Navy.
Jason and Denis were best friends serving in the same command and
were also roommates. “After Jason passed, Denis and I started talking
via email while he was still away on deployment. The time between
emails grew shorter and shorter until we developed a close friendship
that soon turned into romance. Denis and I both knew we loved one
another even before we met in person,” described Jordan. After all
of the correspondence, she couldn’t wait to meet him face-to-face.
As soon as Denis returned home from overseas Jordan flew from her
hometown of Rochester Hills, Michigan to Virginia to finally be united
with Denis. From that day forward, they both knew they were meant to
be together forever. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder,
and their love only grew stronger as time went on. After a couple more
deployments and a move to Pensacola, Denis popped the question. The
beautiful white sandy shores of Pensacola Beach set the perfect scene
for the grand proposal. Denis took Jordan and her parents, who were
visiting, out for a romantic seafood dinner. After dinner was finished the
couple wandered down to the beach. As they walked together hand in
hand, Denis dropped down on one knee and asked Jordan to spend the
rest of her life with him. She, of course, said yes and was filled with joy.
Jordan truly values love and the relationship she has, saying, “I waited for
that day to come for so long and I couldn’t be any prouder that it came
from a man like Denis.”
There is something truly magical about a beach wedding. Their
wedding took place on a beautiful Florida day at Ft. Pickens National
Seashore on October 8, 2016. The sun was shining and the crystal blue
waters were calm as their 85 guests proceeded down the beach to take
witness to the simple Christian ceremony. Jordan’s visions of a rustic,
beachy wedding full of romance came true on this special day with
driftwood adorned with flowers and burlap touches. The three beautiful
bridesmaids wore floor length taupe/pink dresses with dark beading and
the bride wore a stunning lace mermaid gown. The bouquets were the
perfect complement with blush blooms and big white loose garden roses
with a touch of freesia and eucalyptus. “There was a very special moment
during my ceremony,” Jordan recalls. “As soon as my mother was seated,
a monarch butterfly came out of nowhere and rested on her garden rose
that she carried down the aisle. The butterfly remained on her flower
until Denis’ mother Jan was seated. As soon as Jan sat down, the butterfly
left my mother’s flower and flew over to Jan’s. My family, along with many
of our guests, took this as a sign from my brother in heaven.”
Jordan followed the bridal tradition with something old, the cake knife
from her parents’ wedding, something new; her shoes gifted from her
maid of honor, something borrowed; a small white bible from a family
friend that was used for the ceremony, and something blue was very
special, she had a seamstress sew the name from her brother’s navy
uniform into the inside of her dress, next to her heart. The reception
was held on the roof top tower at Hemingway’s Island Grill where guests
dined and danced the night away under the stars. The happy couple are
busy making memories together and looking forward to celebrating a
honeymoon on their one-year anniversary in the Mediterranean.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Coordinator: Leslie Curley
Photographer: Amy Hall Photography
Caterer: Hemingway’s Island Grill
Floral Design: Just Judy’s
Invitation/Stationary: Paper Source in Rochester Hills, MI
Bridal Dress: I Do Bridal in Mobile, AL
Wedding Cake: Betty Webber
Venue for Ceremony: Ft. Pickens National Park
Venue for Reception: Hemingway’s
Hair Stylist: Chelsea Vickory @ Penton House Salon in Pace, FL
Makeup Artist: Cynthia Gonzalez
Signs for Ceremony and Reception: Chloe Winchester with Supposey Rentals
Jordan Molly
Franks
Denis Ryan
DeMichiel
story by Courtney Murray | photography by Amy Hall Photography
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