The Professor and TV Anchor’s Earth Day Wedding

Natalie Allen, a long-time anchor on CNN and CNN International, wed popular Emory professor Jeff Rosensweig on Earth Day, April 22, at the historic Jekyll Island Club Resort. Allen chose this date because she presented the first show on The Weather Channel, “Forecast Earth” and sustainability has been an enduring interest for her.

At the wedding, 50 guests looked on in an idyllic setting in the garden of the Crane Cottage. With perfect weather, the reception on the lawn overlooked the river, followed by dinner in the mansion’s courtyard. The venue was chosen because the Federal Reserve System was formed there by J.P. Morgan, among others. Rosensweig began his career at the Federal Reserve, before teaching at Yale and then moving to Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where he is director of the John Robson Program for Business, Public Policy, and Government. Allen had vacationed at the club with her son Nicholas Wright since he was an infant.

Debbie Peacock Photo & Video // The couple’s suite was inside this famed Jekyll Island Club turret tower.

Being a “second time around,” the couple first met on the set of CNN 20 years ago, where Rosensweig was a frequent live commentator, discussing economic and financial topics. Rosensweig was widowed four years ago.

“We were so lucky to reconnect and fall in love so many years later,” Allen said, to which Rosensweig added details, “After we started dating, we got engaged 11 months later, in June 2019, just after we attended my Yale reunion.”

Debbie Peacock Photo & Video // Groom Jeff Rosensweig completed the traditional breaking of the glass to much applause.

Fast forward to April 2020, when the original wedding date was postponed due to COVID. Allen recalled, “After delaying our 2020 date, many encouraged us to just marry on Zoom. But I held out for my dream wedding at this historic and picturesque Jekyll Island Club. Our guests were enchanted with its beauty. Not coincidentally, my son Nicolas performed ‘At Last’ as our dance song.” Rosensweig chimed in, “Luckily the wedding was always planned to be outdoors in the garden. That combined with vaccines gave us confidence to finally go forward.”

Rosensweig’s brother-in-law Jonathan Fleming conducted the ceremony. Rosensweig’s son was his best man and Allen’s was her son. Rosensweig’s sister Amy Fleming did a reading, as did Allen’s sister Lauren Murrell. Granddaughter flower girls flounced in a fantasy of mint green dresses with silver shoes as children of Rosensweig’s daughter Maria (Lance) Escher, who were part of the unity tree readings. Adm. James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and currently chairman of The Rockefeller Foundation, shared wonderful reflections on “service and commitment” during the ceremony.

Wedding details flowed as did Allen’s ethereal bouquet of pale roses and peonies. The alabaster white cake was adorned with doves (Allen’s favorite)

and butterflies for Earth Day, all made of sugar. Rosensweig looked dapper in a white dinner jacket while Allen wore a slender white lace dress with rhinestone straps.

Debbie Peacock Photo & Video // The couple dances as Natalie’s son sang “At Last” at 50 guests look on.

The couple took a mini U.S. trip in anticipation of honeymooning in Africa as the pandemic subsides.

Rosensweig said, “I hope our marriage gives everyone faith that love can be found anew. Natalie’s middle name is Joy, which she brings me every day. Many people say that our love is so tangible that it brings them joy. Natalie has such rare inner and outer beauty and brilliance that I know I am lucky. I plan to cherish her every day.”

Allen relayed a poem by W.H. Auden, which ends:

“The streets shall all flock
to your marriage
The houses turn round
to look
The tables and chairs
say suitable prayers
And the horses drawing
your carriage
Sing agreeably, agreeably, agreeably of love.”
And yes, the couple exited in a horse drawn carriage.