It was supposed to be the ultimate celebration of love but Bindi Irwin and her longterm partner, American wakeboarder Chandler Powell, have had to scale back their extravagant nuptials as the Australian government’s new laws on weddings roll out at midnight tonight.
Footage obtained by Channel Seven showed the young couple preparing to saying “I do” in an intimate setting at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.
Guests pictured at the low-key event donned the Irwin’s world-famous favourite colour – khaki, while a menagerie of zoo animals, including a rhinoceros, are also playing a part in Bindi and Chandler’s big day.
It’s believed Bindi walked down the aisle to marry her American boyfriend imminently.
Bindi and Chandler’s scaled-back wedding comes a day after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced strict new laws around social gatherings as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, including having no more than five guests at weddings to prevent the spread of the illness.
Right now, the current laws are allow 10 guests at weddings. However at midnight, that number will go down to five – including the bride and groom, the celebrant and two witnesses.
Despite having to change their plans, and no doubt cull many guests, at the last minute, the couple were determined to celebrate in style.
Congratulations to the newlyweds.
(Image: @bindisueirwin/ Instagram)Bindi and Chandler met in 2013, when the champion wakeboarder from central Florida turned up for a tour of Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, which was guided personally by a then-15-year-old Bindi.
The pair fell in love at first sight, and after a long-distance relationship, Chandler moved in with the Irwins at Australia Zoo.
After six years of dating, the couple became engaged last July.
Bindi’s father Steve Irwin passed away in 2006.
(Image: Instagram)Back in 2017, Bindi said she knew Chandler was definitely “The One”, and someone she hoped to spend the rest of her life with.
“I believe there’s always someone for everyone and when you find that one, as we have found each other, it’s a real blessing and a privilege,” Bindi told The Australian Women’s Weekly at the time.
And she added that her late father Steve Irwin, who passed away from a sting-ray attack in 2006, would have absolutely loved her man.
“I’m lucky I have found the one, the person I want to spend all my time with … We all think Dad would have loved Chandler,” she said.
A huge congrats to the newlyweds.
