Dua Lipa and Callum Turner recently tied the knot in a picturesque Sicilian celebration, where the couple was serenaded by the legendary Sir Elton John. The enchanting ceremony took place on Saturday at the historic Villa Valguarnera, nestled in Bagheria, just east of Palermo.
The couple had already exchanged vows at Marylebone Town Hall six days earlier, but they decided to host a lavish party to commemorate their union in grand style. The setting was nothing short of magical, with a semi-circle of chairs arranged around a gazebo in front of the villa, creating an intimate yet elegant atmosphere.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Sir Elton’s performance of his timeless classic, “Your Song,” which he dedicated to the bride and groom. This touching moment added a deeply emotional layer to the festivities, celebrating the close friendship between the singer and Dua Lipa.
For the occasion, Dua, 30, wore a stunning gown adorned with diamonds, crafted by the iconic designer Donatella Versace. The fashion mogul joined the couple for their cocktail party on Friday night, participating in the joyous celebrations.
The grand finale of the three-day wedding extravaganza saw the bride making a memorable entrance. Arriving around 6 PM Sicilian time, Dua traversed a 650-foot driveway lined with vibrant bougainvillea trees, adding to the fairytale ambiance of the event.
Sources said a semi-circle of chairs had been set up in front of Villa Valguarnera with a gazebo in the centre.
Singer Dua Lipa and her new husband Callum Turner were serenaded by Sir Elton John during their Sicilian ceremony
Close friend of Dua Lipa’s, Elton flew out at the last minute to perform his hit Your Song in a ‘very emotional’ moment (Lipa and Turner pictured on Friday)
The newlyweds laid on a lavish party at the historic Villa Valguarnera in Bagheria, east of Palermo, where they exchanged vows six days after their official do in London
An insider said: ‘Dua and Callum sat on a stage under the gazebo and a simple exchange of vows took place.’
The bride and groom’s families were driven from Palermo to the villa – though the trip nearly ended in disaster for Dua’s mum, Anesa, when a driver admitted to leaving her shoes in his car.
Inside, the villa was decorated with peonies and hyacinths, with photo booths set up for souvenir pictures to be taken.
Cigarettes were provided and on the chairs outside attendees were given handkerchiefs that were embroidered with the slogan: ‘Stay mad with me forever.’
Just before 11.30pm, a spectacular 10-minute firework display lit up the night sky above Villa Valguanera.
Locals pulled over in their cars to watch and beeped their horns shouting in Italian: ‘Viva gli appal’ – long live the bride and groom.
Dua and James Bond favourite Callum arrived in Palermo on Thursday, and were joined by singer Charli XCX as well as the singer’s parents Duji and Anesa and Mr Turner’s mother Rose.
On Thursday night guests, who were staying at the £1,000-a-night Igiea hotel in the city, were treated to a yacht party. And on Friday the couple hosted a party at Galleria Moderna.
The bride stunned in a custom-made Bottega Veneta dress. Her handbag was also by the designer, with feathers added to the £2,580 Andiamo clutch.
Elton flew by private jet from Farnborough, Hampshire.
He was whisked in a blacked-out car from Palermo airport and arrived just in time to perform for the ceremony.
Music was also provided by four DJs including Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, David Guetta and Peggy Gou.
However, Palermo locals were not impressed by the festivities. They put posters up saying: ‘Palermo is not for rent. Public spaces belong to everyone.’
Another read: ‘Our square is not your living room,’ and ‘Palermo is not for the rich.’
Photos posted by guests at Saturday’s bash showed photobooths had been set up inside the villa for souvenir pictures to be taken
On the gold chairs outside on the grounds of the villa attendees were given handkerchiefs embroidered with the slogan: ‘Stay mad with me forever’
All the linen was personalised with ‘Dua & Callum’ to mark the celebrations
Just before 11.30pm, a spectacular 10-minute firework display lit up the night sky above Villa Valguanera
The ceremony was attended by 200 guests, with multiple vans ferrying the wedding party seen arriving at the villa
A no drone fly zone was set up and the only prospect of seeing the couple and their guests was when cars arriving slowed down to go through the villa’s imposing iron gates
A ring of steel was thrown up around the Sicilian villa, made famous by the hit series The White Lotus, with metal barriers put up on side roads leading to the venue
The band were seen heading to the venue as they walked in the sun
Standing on the pavement they began playing their trombones and trumpets
Meanwhile police and security were seen arriving ahead of the starry event, with road closures in force
Villa Valguanera was formerly a Mafia lair but has since been taken over by Vittoria Alliata Di Villafranca who still lives in the magnificent 18th Century baroque residence.
The party is expected to be held in the gardens in front of the double colonnade villa which provided the exteriors opening shots for series two of The White Lotus.
In the 1980s the local mob briefly controlled the property and had plans to convert it into a casino and famously stole a statue of Cyclops using a helicopter.
On the villa’s website, the Princess wrote: ‘I never imagined I’d have to defend, tooth and nail, this priceless cultural heritage from the deadly incursions of politicians and Mafiosi.’
