Wedding bells to ring for gay congressman

Wedding bells will be ringing shortly for Rep. Sean Maloney (D-N.Y.)., who will be among the first gay members of Congress to be legally married once he ties the knot on Saturday.

{mosads}Maloney will wed his longtime partner, Randy Florke at a historic Episcopal church in Cold Spring, New York. About 250 people are expected to attend.

“I would say it’s not a small event but it’s not an over-the-top event either,’’ Maloney said, according to the Lower Hudson Valley newspaper. “Hopefully it’s an intimate gathering of friends and family celebrating two people who love each other. That’s certainly my goal.’’

The couple, who have three adopted children, credit their youngest daughter for propelling their Christmas Day engagement.

“For decades, we’ve fought to ensure that all families can experience the joys of loving commitment and we are proud to have our friends and family share this special moment with us in the near future,” they said in a statement released by Maloney’s office.

The freshman lawmaker won’t have much time to celebrate though. He plans to be back to work Monday, a day before his primary fight against former Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth, who lost her seat to Maloney in 2012.

Maloney will become the second sitting congressman to marry a same-sex partner.