Dayton couple riding royal coattails to NYC

While millions of people are expected to watch the royal nuptials of England's Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton early Friday morning, a much lesser-known Willie and Kate of Dayton envisioned a more intimate gathering to take place in May. That was until ABC's daytime talk show "The View" chimed in.

Friday morning Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Willie McFall, 30, will marry Katie Peters, 21, during a live East Coast broadcast of "The View" in New York City. The show will be rebroadcast on Reno's KOLO at 10 a.m.

Television producers tracked down the couple through their Bed, Bath & Beyond bridal registry online. Katie said they were looking for a stateside Will and Kate, and it looks like the Dayton lovebirds were the only ones available.

After Willie's graveyard shift in the jail Monday night ended Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., the couple caught an early afternoon flight to Manhattan.

Willie said he was excited for the trip, but wasn't really interested in the royal wedding.

"We kind of thought the royal wedding thing was silly, but this sounded like a really fun way for us to start our life together," he said.

Both he and Katie agreed that until they were contacted by a producer from the daytime talk show, they didn't realize they shared names with the future king and queen of England.

"I work as the cafe supervisor at Borders in Carson City, and put out tons and tons of magazines of the royal couple," said Katie, "and it never occurred to me."

She'll wear the wedding dress she'd already selected for their May wedding - which will go off as planned May 28 - while Willie will don a tuxedo.

The television show also is flying in Katie's maid of honor and Willie's best man, who also happens to be his sister.

Katie's stepmother Diane and father Michael Peters of Reno also will be in attendance, as will Willie's parents, William and Janet McFall, of Dayton.

On Wednesday the couple will pick up their marriage license, and on Thursday attend a dress rehearsal.

The big day is Friday morning during the broadcast of "The View."

"It's kind of surreal. These things don't normally happen around here," said Katie. "I don't have any interest being on national television, but right now I'm kind of like let's do this."

The show will air in Carson City at 10 a.m. Friday morning following the Regis and Kelly on KOLO Channel 8.

*edited to correct channel. F.T.