Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s $1.6M Wedding Sparks Fury in Sicily
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s wedding in Sicily has turned into a battleground of discontent, with locals fuming over the couple's $1.6 million celebration. The event kicked off with a legal marriage at Marylebone Registry Office in London, followed by a three-day extravaganza in Italy.
The couple exchanged vows again at Villa Valguarnera, a venue rented for €100,000. Security measures are extreme, creating a fortress-like perimeter around the villa, made famous by the TV series White Lotus. Metal barricades block side streets, and a no-fly zone for drones has been enforced.
Locals caught glimpses of the festivities from balconies during Friday's events, but Saturday's ceremony is tightly controlled. The only chance to see the newlyweds is when vehicles slow down at the imposing metal gates.
Security is so tight that even senior citizens relaxing near the entrance were asked to move. A significant police presence was noted during the cocktail reception for guests on Friday.
In response to the wedding, angry locals plastered posters throughout town, declaring “Palermo is not for rent” and “Our square is not your living room.” Graffiti appeared on walls after organizers reportedly removed the banners.
Concetta Chillemi, a local shop owner, expressed frustration, stating that the city feels like “a theme park” due to the wedding festivities. The catering is handled by local chef Tony Lo Coco from I Pupi, serving traditional Sicilian cuisine.
Details of the dinner menu remain undisclosed, but the setup features a semicircle of seating on the grass in front of the villa's main entrance, with a gazebo at its center. A source revealed that Dua and Callum will sit on a stage under the gazebo for a simple exchange of vows that holds no legal significance.
The after-ceremony meal will take place behind the villa, with tables draped in white linen. The festivities kicked off with an extravagant welcome reception for A-list guests like Mark Ronson, Charli XCX, and Donatella Versace.
A source claimed this wedding would be “the coolest” and “so glam,” with both Dua and Callum heavily involved in planning. Despite the celebration's allure for the couple and their guests, neighborhood residents have voiced their displeasure.
Reports indicate that Dua has compensated local residents with £5,000 to ease the burden on those living in apartments affected by additional parking arrangements for the wedding.
