Bindi Irwin has married her fiancé Chandler Powell in an intimate wedding ceremony at her family’s zoo in Australia.
On Wednesday, the daughter of late TV presenter Steve Irwin tied the knot just hours before the country put restrictions in place banning gatherings to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“We held a small ceremony and I married my best friend,” the 21-year-old wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of the couple kissing. “There are no words to describe the amount of love and light in my heart right now.”
According to Irwin, she and Powell had been planning the day for more than a year, but had to change “everything” because they didn’t want guests at the ceremony for fear of spreading the virus.
“We’ve planned this beautiful day for nearly a year and had to change everything, as we didn’t have guests at our wedding,” the conservationist wrote. “This was a very difficult decision but important to keep everyone safe. We wish all of our friends and family could have been there with us, however it’s lovely that we will be able to share photos and videos.”
Irwin also mentioned her late father, who died in 2006 after being pierced by a stingray barb. “Mum helped me get ready, Robert walked me down the aisle, Chandler became my husband and together we lit a candle in Dad’s memory.” Robert Irwin – also a TV presenter – is Bindi’s younger brother.
She ended her post encouraging her followers to “stay safe” and ”social distance” and reminding them that “LOVE WINS!”
In the photo, which was taken from inside the couple’s wedding in the Australia Zoo gardens, the newlyweds are kissing in front of blooming flowers. For the ceremony, Irwin chose a long-sleeved lace white dress in a traditional style, with a simple headband. Powell opted for a more casual look, wearing a light blue shirt and pale trousers.
Many people around the world have been forced to cancel or postpone their weddings due to limits on gatherings as the virus continues to spread.
