BEERWAH, Australia — Bindi Irwin married her longtime fiance, Chandler Powell, Wednesday in a private ceremony at the Australia Zoo, the daughter of “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin announced on social media.
“We held a small ceremony and I married my best friend,” Bindi Irwin wrote in an Instagram post. “There are no words to describe the amount of love and light in my heart right now.”
Irwin said the couple had to move up their wedding date and had no guests -- except for family members -- due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. The Australian government had imposed a Wednesday night deadline on the number of wedding guests, Australian Broadcasting Company reported.
Powell posted the same photo on his Instagram account, writing, “We’re finally married!”
“(Today) marks the most amazing day of my life,” Powell wrote. “I married my best friend.”
Bindi Irwin said not having guests was “a very difficult decision but important.”
“We wish all of our friends and family could have been there with us,” she wrote on Instagram. "However it’s lovely that we will be able to share photos and videos,” she continued. “Right now we’re encouraging the world to hold onto hope and love, which will carry us forward during this profound time in history.”
Irwin said she and Powell lit a candle in memory of her father, who died in September 2006 when he was stung by a stingray while filming the documentary, “Ocean’s Deadliest.” Her brother, Robert Irwin, walked her down the aisle Wednesday.
“We shared tears and smiles and love. Thankfully, since we all live at Australia Zoo as a family, we could be there for each other. To everyone reading this — stay safe, social distance and remember LOVE WINS!”
The couple became engaged July, 24, 2019, on Bindi Irwin’s 21st birthday. The engagement came after the couple had been dating for six years, People reported.
Powell, a former wakeboarder from Florida, told People he met Irwin at the Australia Zoo while he was in the country to compete in an event.
The night before the wedding, Bindi Irwin posted a childhood photo on Instagram as a tribute to her father, the Australian Broadcast Company reported.
“Thank you for being my guiding light. You’re always with me,” she wrote.
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