Despite current lock down rules Steve Irwin’s daughter Bindi managed to pull off the most beautiful wedding ceremony which included a touching tribute to her wildlife warrior father.
Bindi Irwin, who has continued the good work of her father and is now a wildlife warrior in her own right, even revealed having to rethink her childhood dream of wearing her mother’s wedding dress on her big day after discovering it didn’t fit.
The gown which is a 50-year-old family heirloom was something Bindi had dreamed of wearing on her big day since she was a girl.
“I wanted something very similar because I’ve admired [my mom’s] dress since I was tiny,” Bindi told People magazine.
“When I was about 12 years old, I put on mum’s wedding dress and it was a really, really special,” Bindi said. “It’s over 50 years old because it’s been in the family for that long.”
But when she found that it didn’t fit her and it couldn’t be altered due to its age she took to doing some research to find one that looked similar.
When Bindi found one with sunflower lace, she was instantly reminded of the car rides her dad would take her on through sunflower fields.
“It was just perfect, I said, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s the dress,’ and we all started crying again,” Bindi said.
Her original plan for a 200-person gathering had to adjusted to a more intimate affair amid the current social distancing rules but she still managed to make her family and friends feel involved in her special day.
Her brother Robert even walked her down the aisle and wrote after on his sister’s Instagram post: “It was a truly incredible day and one of the most special moments of my life walking you down the aisle and watching you start your married life together. I love you both!”
Bindi honored her father’s memory on her special day when she married boyfriend Chandler Powell, from Florida, who met Bindi on a visit to the family’s Australia Zoo in 2014.
“Where we got married was such a special place to dad,” Bindi said of the spot on the Australia Zoo grounds where she and Chandler exchanged vows.
“It’s a beautiful little area where he had filmed for many years. It felt really wonderful and just meant to be.”
“We had dad’s picture with his dog Sui blown up on an easel. So mom and Robert were standing right next to dad as we exchanged vows. We had a candle-lighting ceremony for him, and it really felt like he was there with us. It was a lovely moment of peace and happiness.”
Bindi even had her flowers tied with khaki ribbon, again honoring her father, who died 14 years ago.
Taking to Instagram to share her happy news Bindi wrote: “We held a small ceremony and I married my best friend.
“We didn’t have guests at our wedding. 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’ll be able to share photos and videos.
“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. We shared tears and smiles and love.”
Bindi’s final words in her post sum up this moment and her special day perfectly: “To everyone reading this – stay safe, social distance and remember LOVE WINS!”
Congratulations Bindi and Chandler! Please share to wish this couple a very happy future together.