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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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