Published: September 16, 2008 05:45 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Local businesses shine nationally on GMA

Bakery, florist provided wedding services

The raging rapids wasn’t the only positive from Niagara Falls spotlighted during Tuesday morning’s broadcast of ABC’s Good Morning America.

Several local businesses were featured during the two-hour show, including DiCamillo Bakery and Harris & Lever Florist, which provided their products for a wedding ceremony at Prospect Point.

Chris Murgia, co-owner of Harris & Lever, said the Main Street shop was contacted by show producers and asked to provide fall-themed flowers. Among other floral arrangements, the main contributions were two, 7-foot topiary displays designed by Murgia’s wife Maggie and sister-in-law Dominique Rubino.

Murgia said they’ve been working on the order since Friday and arrived at the state park at 5 a.m. Tuesday to setup. They received numerous compliments by crew members and visitors in attendance.

“It was an honor to be chosen to provide the flowers,” he said. “To look on television and see your arrangements in front of millions of people watching, there’s something very special about that.”

The wedding ceremony was for Ohio couple Tom O’Donnell and Annette Keck, who have been together for two years after meeting at a speed dating event. O’Donnell said they planned on eloping at The Falls Wedding Chapel before being picked to have the ceremony live on GMA.

“It was just kind of dumb luck,” he said after the ceremony, which was set directly in front of the American Falls and performed by the Rev. Ann Quinn of the Falls Wedding Chapel.

Chapel owner Sally Fedell said the show contacted her about finding a couple to be married during the live broadcast. Along with selecting O’Donnell and Keck, the chapel provided the wedding service and photography for free. She’s hoping the exposure in the national spotlight helps area businesses.

“Millions of people watch the show and I hope some of them get the idea that Niagara Falls is a great place to get married,” Fedell said.

A four-tier silver pound wedding cake with butter cream frosting was provided by DiCamillo Bakery — and caught the eye of anchor Diane Sawyer.

“This cake is so gorgeous,” she said while the newlyweds made the first cut.

Anchor Robin Roberts commented on air that DiCamillo has operated locally since 1920.

Owners Skip DiCamillo and Dave DiCamillo said producers came down to the bakery a few weeks ago to shoot footage. The wedding cake took about four hours to make.

“It’s wonderful exposure and we’re happy to have the opportunity to be a part of this,” Skip DiCamillo said.

Before ending the show, the anchor team presented the newlyweds with a gift courtesy of Seneca Niagara Casino consisting of a free hotel stay and spa treatment.

“Everything and everyone has been wonderful,” said Annette O’Donnell, whose bouquet was made out of mango calla lilies. “The flowers were very beautiful.”