It’s just a matter of hours until Dua Lipa and Callum Turner finally say ‘I do’ at the Villa Valguarnera in Sicily in front of all their friends and family on Saturday.
The couple celebrated their legal ceremony in at Marylebone Registry office in London last weekend, before flying to Sicily on Wednesday ahead of their three day £1million extravaganza.
And on the morning of their nuptials staff were seen preparing for the wedding at the venue, with the entrance surrounded by stunning purple flowers.
A ring of steel has been thrown up around a Sicilian villa, made famous by the hit series White Lotus, with metal barriers put up on side roads leading to the venue which is situated around 20 mins from Palermo in the town of Bagheria – a one-time Mafia stronghold.
The villa has been hired out for €100,000 and unlike Friday’s festivities where locals were able to catch a glimpse of the party from overlooking balconies and terraces Saturday’s event will be difficult to watch.
A no drone fly zone has been set up and the only prospect of seeing the couple and their guests is when cars arriving slow down to go through the villa’s imposing iron gates.
The countdown is on! Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s wedding preparations get underway at Villa Valguarnera as security arrive ahead of the couple’s £1million three-day Sicily event
The couple celebrated their legal ceremony in London last weekend, before flying to Sicily on Wednesday ahead of three day £1million extravaganza (pictured on Friday night)
Catering had been provided by local chef Tony Lo Coco from restaurant I Pupi who told the Daily Mail: ‘I can’t tell you anything, other than the menu will be traditional Sicilian. I’m sorry.’
Locals said they were ‘excited’ and looking forward to star spotting with one giddy bystander saying: ‘I can’t wait to see all these famous people. It’s put Sicily on the international stage.’
Guests expected to attend include Charlie XCX, Joe Alwyb, Grace Gummer, Mark Ronson and designer Donatella Versace who is rumoured to have created the wedding dress for Saturday’s grand finale.
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 White Lotus series 2.
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.’
On Friday, a heavy police presence was seen around the Palazzo Gangi ahead of a cocktail reception for the couple and their guests.
A ring of steel has been thrown up around a Sicilian villa, made famous by the hit series White Lotus , with metal barriers put up on side roads
Meanwhile police and security were seen arriving ahead of the starry event, with road closures due to be in force later
Police officers were seen taking cover in the shade ahead of the wedding guests arrivals
A no drone fly zone has been set up and the only prospect of seeing the couple and their guests is when cars arriving slow down to go through the villa’s imposing iron gates
Hours later, crowds were seen gathering for the celebrations, with guests arriving at Sicilia Marina Villa Igiea.
Locals have made their feelings known, with the Daily Mail spotting various graffiti around the city this weekend.
And reports have even claimed that Dua has paid £5,000 to residents to compensate those who live in apartments overlooking areas where there will be extra parking for the wedding.
The Daily Mail spotted some obscene graffiti on a marble column in the square which hosted their welcome cocktail party on Friday night.
It read: ‘Palermo is not for rent.’ It was soon painted over.
On Friday night Dua and Callum kicked off their nuptials with a lavish welcome party for their star-studded guests.
The couple hosted the bash at Palazzo Valguarnera Gangi, with guests including Charli XCX and Mark Ronson in attendance.
It was rumoured Dua will walk down the aisle in a custom Atelier Versace wedding gown because of her longtime friendship with the designer, 71.
A source close to the wedding told the Daily Mail’s Katie Hind: ‘This is going to be the coolest wedding, and so glam.
‘Both Dua and Callum have been so excited and have been really involved with the planning. They want it to be epic.’
Donatella looked incredible in a gold fringed gown as she partied with Dua at the Italian bash.
During the celebrations, Callum couldn’t take his eyes off his stunning new wife as he looked adoringly at her before leaning in for a kiss.
The couple celebrated their legal ceremony in at Marylebone Registry office in London last weekend, before flying to Sicily on Wednesday ahead of their three day £1million extravaganza
Dua danced the night away with Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace, 71, at her star-studded cocktail party in Sicily on Friday
The piazza was decorated with a classic Mercedes, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and a Fiat 128 and on top of the last car was a plate of courgettes, tomatoes, cherries and fava beans
Dua looked out of this world in a bridal white Bottega Veneta gown as she made her show-stopping entrance with her husband.
The singer wowed in a backless fringed number while Callum looked handsome in a Jacques Marie Mage suit.
The couple are reported to have paid nearly £9,000 to shut down the venue to hold the stunning cocktail reception.
Dua was seen applying lip gloss as she and Callum were seen flitting between guests sat at tables with candles in wine bottles.
Dua accessorised her glamorous dress with a £2,580 Bottega Anidamo leather clutch bag and Bulgari jewels – including a classic £185,000 Manchette watch.
As the sun set on the second night of celebrations Dua was spotted dancing to Chic’s 1978 dance floor classic Le Freak and Kylie Minogue hit Spinning Around.
Later, waiters brought out Margherita pizza for the guests on silver trays just minutes before Dua emerged on a balcony on Palazzo Ganci to cheers and applause.
She appeared briefly and it appeared she and Callum were having photographs taken in the Palazzo’s iconic ballroom.
Charli looked stunning in a black minidress as she was joined by her The 1975 drummer husband George Daniel.
But things got off to an awkward start as Charli was spotted just a metre away from her nemesis Taylor Swift’s ex Joe Alwyn.
Charli and Taylor’s rivalry stems from their time touring together in 2018 as well as Taylor’s former relationship with The 1975’s Matty Healy.
Designer Donatella Versace was also spotted at the party – and she is rumoured to have made the dress Dua will wear for the third and final night of festivities on Saturday.
Just after 6pm guests began to arrive in the nearby Piazza Croce dei Vesperi where the sun still beat down and the temperature was still nudging 30c.
However, guests were offered some shade by the Palazzo Ganci and music could be heard wafting over the black drapes suspended to stop photographs being taken.
The piazza was decorated with a classic Mercedes, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and a Fiat 128 and on top of the last car was a plate of courgettes, tomatoes, cherries and fava beans.
There was also an outdoor cocktail bar decorated with antique mirrors and prints of traditional Sicilian scenes and books on shelves.
Some local businesses are angry that they have had to close up early on a Friday evening – one of the most popular nights for going out in Palermo which has also become a magnet for British tourists in recent years.
