The history of Villa Valguarnera partly reflects that of Sicily: a land that in the 18th century experienced a season of extraordinary cultural and economic splendor, attracting travelers from all over Europe. Bagheria was then a renowned aristocratic resort, surrounded by manufacturing activities related to silk and sugar. It has retained its atmosphere of great elegance and culture, one that is much loved by visitors and tourists.
It was in that storied area that Dua Lipa and Callum Turner exchanged vows late Saturday afternoon, in front of family and friends in the villa’s large park. A central gazebo was set up, surrounded by golden chairs arranged in a semicircle—a setting that made a strong visual impact, amid fresh flowers and lights designed to enhance the historic facade of the residence at sunset.
The atmosphere, according to sources, was deliberately intimate despite the presence of hundreds of famous guests. Surrounding the bride and groom was a riot of flowers including peonies and hyacinths from the historic Di Peri floricultural company in Villabate.
Making the moment even more exciting was the presence of Elton John, who arrived in Sicily from England aboard his private jet. Sitting at the piano set up in the villa’s garden, the singer dedicated his famous “Your Song” to the newlyweds, giving one of the day’s most memorable moments. The performance moved the guests and the bride and groom themselves, both of whom were visibly emotional. The song’s end was greeted by long applause from the guests, who included Charli XCX, Mark Ronson, Troye Sivan, Joe Alwyn, Grace Gummer, and George Daniel.
The staging of the ceremony at Villa Valguarnera focused on the colors of the Mediterranean tradition. Behind the gazebo, tables covered in white linen were inserted among the purple bougainvillea covering the walls of the ancient residence. As the sun set, the grounds glowed with scarlet lights that illuminated the red ottomans in the seating and lounge areas, creating an almost theatrical atmosphere. Guests found an array of personalized gifts: sugared almonds packed in small satin bags, white linen handkerchiefs, and fine embroidered fans. On the latter appeared the dedication chosen by the couple: “Stay mad with me forever,” or “Stay madly in love with me forever,” accompanied by small embroidered hearts.
After the ceremony, guests moved inside Princess Vittoria Alliata’s residence for a sumptuous dinner served in the frescoed halls. Tables were set with ornate china, colored crystal glasses, silver candelabra, antique tureens, and monumental centerpieces. The courses included no shortage of nods to Sicilian tradition, with cannolini and cassatine served alongside gourmet dishes.
Tony Lo Coco, star chef of Bagheria’s I Pupi restaurant, is rumored to have collaborated on the banquet, along with a top Roman caterer. Among the specialties most appreciated by the guests was the melon frost, which literally went like hot cakes. At the end, a fireworks show lit up the Sicilian sky, accompanied again by the applause of guests and the classic “Long live the bride and groom,” pronounced in Italian. A source says that by then, Donatella Versace and Elton John had left for the evening, skipping the night sky display.
At midnight toasts were made with Blanc de Blanc champagne, and then the evening continued with a DJ set entrusted to leading names on the international scene, including Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and Peggy Gou, who alternated until late into the night. A sophisticated sound system was designed to limit sound leakage to the outside as much as possible in an effort not to disturb neighbors, but residents said they heard music for hours, in what was described by many as “a bigger event than New Year’s Eve.”