Bindi Irwin has shared the first official photo from her wedding to Chandler Powell, 23, to Instagram on Wednesday.
Alongside a picture of the couple after their vows, the 21-year-old revealed how they made the difficult decision to have no guests present to ‘keep everyone safe’, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes just hours after Prime Minister Scott Morrison enforced new restrictions on weddings – they may be conducted as long as it’s just the couple, the celebrant and two witnesses in attendance.
‘It’s important to keep everyone safe’: Bindi Irwin, 21, shared the first photo from her wedding to Chandler Powell, 23, to Instagram on Wednesday – and revealed how they made the ‘difficult decision’ to have no guests amid the coronavirus pandemic
‘March 25th 2020. We held a small ceremony and I married my best friend. There are no words to describe the amount of love and light in my heart right now,’ Bindi began her post.
‘We’ve planned this beautiful day for nearly a year and had to change everything, as we didn’t have guests at our wedding. This was a very difficult decision but important to keep everyone safe.’
Bindi went on to encourage ‘the world to hold onto hope and love, which will carry us forward during this profound time in history.
‘Today we celebrated life and revelled in every beautiful moment we shared together in our Australia Zoo gardens.’
Heartfelt: Bindi revealed in the post’s caption how they made the ‘difficult decision’ to have their wedding without guests, but hoped the day would encourage everyone to hold onto ‘hope and light’ during such trying times
Wedding details: Bindi added that her brother Robert Irwin walked her down the aisle, and she lit a candle alongside Chandler (pictured) in her late father Steve Irwin’s memory
In the stunning photo taken in front of a statement flower wall, Bindi wore a princess-style gown with a lace bodice and semi-sheer sleeves.
She styled her brunette locks in soft waves, and added an intricate beaded crown.
Chandler cut a suave figure in a pale blue dress shirt, beige trousers and dress shoes.
Bindi added that her brother Robert Irwin walked her down the aisle, and she lit a candle alongside Chandler in her late father Steve Irwin’s memory.
‘To everyone reading this – stay safe, social distance and remember LOVE WINS!’ she concluded.
Bindi’s brother Robert, 16, also shared the same photo to his Instagram page, and wrote in the caption that it’s a day he will never forget.
‘Bindi and Chandler, words cannot describe how happy and proud I am that today you started your married life and celebrated love during a difficult time for our world,’ he said.
‘An emotional and beautifully spontaneous day’: Bindi’s brother Robert Irwin (left), 16, also shared the same photo to his Instagram page, and wrote in the caption that it’s a day he will never forget
‘And I was beyond honoured to get to walk Bindi down the aisle today,’ Robert continued, adding that despite having to change plans at the last minute, it was ‘an emotional and beautifully spontaneous day’.
He concluded: ‘I know that Dad was with us, and we are all so delighted for your future as husband and wife. I love you both.’
The wedding ceremony took place among a lush garden oasis at Queensland’s Australia Zoo.
An archway for guests of the bride and groom was erected earlier on Wednesday, while statement white florals were seen throughout.
Photographers and videographers were also on hand, no doubt ensuring they got in the perfect position to capture footage of the big day.
In position: Videographers and photographers were seen taking their place
Lush garden oasis: Aerial footage obtained by Seven News on Wednesday, saw event planners setting up a stunning outdoor ceremony, complete with lush greenery
On Tuesday night, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison enforced tough conditions on weddings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Large gatherings for weddings, sadly, won’t be possible under these new arrangements,’ he said.
‘Sadly, also, and I know this will be very difficult, funerals to no more than 10 persons observing the rules around the four-square-metre rule and the social distancing practices.
Shielded: Bindi is pictured ahead of walking down the aisle. Wearing a statement gown, she was shielded by a group who held up white umbrellas
‘This is not an easy decision. Where we have already found, and Dr Murphy can speak to this, some of the events that have been some of the major transmitting events, it has been exactly these types of events, particularly weddings.
‘And that is why, regretfully, we have to be able to put these arrangements in place.’
New rules: It comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured on Tuesday) enforced restrictions on weddings as of 11.59pm, March 25, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Weddings may be conducted as long as it’s just the couple, the celebrant and two witnesses
Keeping her fans updated: Meanwhile, in September last year, Bindi revealed via Instagram that she and Chandler will marry sometime in 2020 at Australia Zoo
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness accompanied by fever, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath and fatigue. It can produce pneumonia.
The spread of the disease, which began in Wuhan, China, has seen over 420,000 cases worldwide and more than 18,900 fatalities.
As of the evening of March 25, the total number of people diagnosed with the virus in Australia is 2,431 including nine deaths.
Statistics: As of the evening of March 25, the total number of people diagnosed with the virus in Australia is 2,431 including nine deaths
Bindi and Chandler got engaged at Australia Zoo in Queensland in July last year, on what was her 21st birthday.
The wildlife warrior shared heartwarming photos to Instagram at the time, after her award-winning wildlife photographer brother Robert captured the sweet moment she said, ‘Yes’ on camera.
Addressing her 3.3 million Instagram followers, Bindi gushed over the ‘most beautiful surprise’ and revealed that she had no idea that the proposal was going to take place, or that her brother was across the park taking photos.
Long-time beau: The couple had been dating for six years prior to getting engaged in July last year
Despite celebrating both her 21st birthday and engagement, Bindi admitted it had been a ‘bittersweet’ day as she was celebrating without her father Steve, who tragically died 13 years ago.
Speaking to the Sunshine Coast Daily, she explained: ‘I do really wish that dad was here to be able to celebrate with us as a family. I think in some ways he is and his spirit lives on in everything that we do, and I always feel closest to dad here at Australia Zoo.’
She added: ‘People have been so kind and sharing so much love and that means so much to me.’
Steve Irwin, famously known as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, tragically died from a stingray barb to the heart in 2006. He was 44-years-old.
Following in his footsteps: Bindi’s father, Steve Irwin (pictured with Bindi as a child), famously known as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, tragically died from a stingray barb to the heart in 2006. He was 44-years-old