Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are preparing for an opulent wedding weekend in Sicily, with elite guests and lavish venues.
The anticipation is building for Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s grand wedding celebration in Sicily. After a legal ceremony in London on Sunday, the couple is set to host a three-day extravaganza in Palermo, inviting 300 guests to join in the festivities.
The event promises to be a spectacle, with no expense spared on venues, security, and entertainment.
The couple arrived in Sicily on Wednesday night, touching down at Palermo’s airport just before 10.30pm local time after a two-hour 20-minute flight from Luton.
They are staying at the luxurious Villa Igiea Hotel, a £6,000-a-night five-star establishment that will serve as the base for their celebrations. The hotel’s Donna Franca suite, with its spacious privacy and breathtaking sea views, is the perfect setting for the couple to unwind before the festivities begin.
The Grand Venues
The wedding weekend will be a whirlwind of events, each held at a stunning venue. The celebrations kick off on Thursday at the Villa Igiea Hotel, where guests will enjoy the luxurious surroundings and spectacular views of the Mediterranean. On Friday afternoon, a cocktail reception will be held at the Galleria Moderna in Palermo, which the couple has paid 10,000 Euros to shut down for the event.
The Ceremony at Villa Valguarnera
The main event, the ceremony, will take place on Saturday at the 17th-century Villa Valguarnera in Bagheria. This sumptuous villa, known for its ornate gardens and grand staircase, is a major historical landmark. It featured in the opening credits of the hit series The White Lotus and was the setting for a classic ballroom scene in the 1963 film The Leopard. The couple has paid 100,000 Euros to hire the villa for the day, and Elton John is rumoured to be playing a set at the reception.
The Security Measures
Given the high-profile nature of the event, security is a top priority. More than 50 bodyguards have been drafted in from Rome and London, and all staff involved in the wedding have been made to sign non-disclosure agreements. Streets around the venues have been closed, and temporary no drone fly zones have been established to ensure the couple’s privacy.
The Elite Guest List
The wedding will be attended by some of the biggest names in showbiz, including Elton John, Olivia Dean, Mark Ronson, and Charli XCX. The event has been hailed as the ‘showbiz wedding of the year’, drawing comparisons to the high-profile marriage of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone in The Godfather.
The Fashion Highlights
Dua Lipa is expected to wear a bespoke Versace gown for the ceremony, designed by her longtime friend Donatella Versace. The dress is rumoured to be inspired by the Kate Moss ‘wedding dress’, adorned with sparkling diamond decorations. The couple’s legal wedding in London saw Dua radiate bridal elegance in a custom Schiaparelli skirt suit, white gloves, and a wide-brimmed white hat.
The Local Impact
The wedding has gripped the city of Palermo, with locals eager to catch a glimpse of the celebrations. However, the closures and security measures have caused some disruption to local businesses. One cafe owner near Villa Valguanera expressed frustration at the loss of business, stating, ‘I’m delighted they are getting married but for us it means a loss of business for the day.’
Despite the inconveniences, the wedding is seen as a great honour for Palermo. Antonio Rini from Palermo Council’s tourism department stated, ‘For us having Dua Lipa’s wedding here is a great honour and the welcome they will receive will promote the city on the international stage.’
The couple’s wedding is not just a personal celebration but also a significant event for the city of Palermo, bringing international attention and showcasing the beauty and grandeur of Sicily’s historic venues.
