Above: The couple with bridesmaids
Talk about reaching across the aisle. When Republican State Senator Art Linares cofounded a Bipartisan Young Legislators Caucus, Democratic State Representative Caroline Simmons got on board, and they hit it off while working together on legislation. A year and a half later, knowing that Caroline reads the Stamford Advocate every morning, Art took out a full-page ad asking her to marry him. As he cooked breakfast and she flipped through the paper, Caroline came upon Art’s ad. When she looked to him, he was on bended knee with a ring.
U.S. District Judge of New Jersey Jose L. Linares officiated the wedding at Griswold Point in Old Lyme, where a reception followed. The couple chose the location based on its significance to Connecticut and American history. At the end of the celebration, Art surprised his bride with a rendition of “Sweet Caroline.”
Caroline is the daughter of Eileen and Steve Simmons of Greenwich. She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor’s degree in government and received her master’s in Middle East Studies from George Washington University. She represents the 144th District in Stamford.
Art is the son of Robin and Art Linares of Clinton. He graduated from the University of Tampa with a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship. He represents Connecticut’s 33rd District.
The couple honeymooned in the Seychelles; they call Stamford home.
Photographs: Hechler Photographers
Celebrating with smiles
Cutting loose on the dance floor
The bride and groom with Caroline’s family
The Chester Fife & Drums Corps
The wedding cake
Caroline and Art with the flower girls and ring bearers
Juanita James and Dudley Williams
The bride and groom with Cristin McCarthy Vahey and Brian Vahey, Mary and Congressman Jim Himes and Ned and Annie Lamont
Exchanging vows
Josh Fedeli, Lauren Drysdale, Mary and Congressman Jim Himes
Steven Mueller, Fran Pastore, State Senator Carlo Leone
The reception was bursting with fall color.
The first dance
