Bindi Irwin made her late dad a big part of her wedding when she tied the knot with Chandler Powell on the 25th of March at a garden in Australian Zoo.
Speaking of the venue Bindi chose for her reception, the 21-year-old told PEOPLE: “Where we got married was such a special place to dad.”
The Animal Planet star added: “It’s a beautiful little area where he had filmed for many years. It felt really wonderful and just meant to be.”
Steve Irwin passed away on September 4, 2006, after a stingray attacked him while he was filming a documentary underwater. He was 44 years old at the time.
Steve’s loss shocked the world and left millions of his fans devastated across the globe.
Bindi’s wedding, which took place in the absence of Crocodile Hunter, was very emotional for her brother Robert and mom Terri.
“We had dad’s picture with his dog Sui blown up on an easel,” Bindi said.
“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 and Chandler had originally planned their wedding with 200 guests, but had to cancel the event owing to the virus lockdown.
Instead, the couple married with just three guests – Terri, Robert, and Steve’s best friend Wes Mannion – and “lots of animals.”
Bindi’s bouquet was tied with a khaki ribbon in remembrance of Steve. “Most brides have something blue; I had my khaki,” she said.
Bindi’s wedding special will be premiered on Crikey! It’s the Irwins on 18th of April on Animal Planet.
The show revolves around the Irwin family as they follow in the footsteps of the legendary Crocodile Hunter and take care of animals at the Australian Zoo.
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