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Bindi Irwin And Chandler Powell Got Married Without Wedding Guests

Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell are married — although the couple’s big day ended up being much smaller than they had planned.

Like many brides and grooms around the world, Irwin and Powell had to change their wedding plans in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The couple was supposed to get married in April, but due to concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak, they decided to tie the knot Wednesday in an intimate ceremony at Australia Zoo — the Queensland wildlife reserve where the Irwin family lives and works — without their guests.

“This was a very difficult decision but important to keep everyone safe,” Irwin wrote on Instagram. “We wish all of our friends and family could have been there with us, however it’s lovely that we will be able to share photos and videos. Right now we’re encouraging the world to hold onto hope and love, which will carry us forward during this profound time in history.”

Later that day, the Australian government’s new social distancing measures went into effect ― including one stating wedding celebrations should be capped at five people. The ceremony may have been moved up so it could be filmed for an Animal Planet wedding special before the directive went into place, according to HuffPost Australia.

In spite of the setbacks, the couple made the most of the day. Irwin’s mom, Terri, helped her get ready and her brother, Robert, walked her down the aisle. The family lit a candle for Robert and Bindi’s father, the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin.

“We shared tears and smiles and love,” the bride said of the day. “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!”

Robert shared a sweet comment on her Instagram post, writing: “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!”

Irwin first met Powell, a professional wakeboarder, when she was his tour guide at Australia Zoo in 2013. They got engaged in July 2019 when Powell popped the question at — where else — the zoo, surrounded by animals.

“I am so very happy, and I know Steve would be too,” Terri said of their engagement at the time.

In an interview last summer, Irwin shared some of the sage marriage advice her mom has given her over the years. For example: A good partner is like your favorite pair of worn-in shoes.

“It sounds really weird, but if you have your most comfortable pair of shoes, you can always count on them, you know, that they’re always gonna hold up, and they’ll walk you through life and they’re dependable,” Irwin told Entertainment Tonight. “And [my mom] said, ‘That’s what our marriage was. It was like the most comfortable pair of shoes. ... That’s what you’re looking for, so you can enjoy all of this wonderful adventure, but then at the end of the day, you’ll come home to someone who will always be there for you and who will back you up and just be that comfort and support in your life.’”

“I feel like that’s what [Chandler and I] have,” Irwin added.

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05:  Actress/ wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin attends 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21 at CBS Televison City on October 5, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Actress/ wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin attends 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21 at CBS Televison City on October 5, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Actress/ wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin attends 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21 at CBS Televison City on September 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. 
Actress/ wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin attends 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21 at CBS Televison City on September 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. 
Actress/ wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin attends 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21 at CBS Televison City on September 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. 
Actress/ wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin attends 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21 at CBS Televison City on September 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. 

Bindi Irwin

In this handout photo provided by Australia Zoo, Bindi Irwin celebrates her 15th birthday on July 24, 2013 in Beerwah, Australia. (Photo by Ben Beaden/Australia Zoo via Getty Images)
In this handout photo provided by Australia Zoo, Bindi Irwin celebrates her 15th birthday on July 24, 2013 in Beerwah, Australia. (Photo by Ben Beaden/Australia Zoo via Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

 In this handout photo provided by Australia Zoo, Bindi Irwin celebrates her 15th birthday with her mother Terri Irwin and brother Robert Irwin, on July 24, 2013 in Beerwah, Australia. (Photo by Ben Beaden/Australia Zoo via Getty Images)
In this handout photo provided by Australia Zoo, Bindi Irwin celebrates her 15th birthday with her mother Terri Irwin and brother Robert Irwin, on July 24, 2013 in Beerwah, Australia. (Photo by Ben Beaden/Australia Zoo via Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

In this handout photo provided by Australia Zoo, Bindi Irwin celebrates her 15th birthday with her mother Terri Irwin and brother Robert Irwin, on July 24, 2013 in Beerwah, Australia. (Photo by Ben Beaden/Australia Zoo via Getty Images)
In this handout photo provided by Australia Zoo, Bindi Irwin celebrates her 15th birthday with her mother Terri Irwin and brother Robert Irwin, on July 24, 2013 in Beerwah, Australia. (Photo by Ben Beaden/Australia Zoo via Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin, Russell Crowe, Tennyson Crowe and Charles Crowe arrive at the 'Man Of Steel' Australian premiere on June 24, 2013 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Bindi Irwin, Russell Crowe, Tennyson Crowe and Charles Crowe arrive at the 'Man Of Steel' Australian premiere on June 24, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin star of the film "Return to Nim's Island," the sequel to the 2008 action-adventure movie "Nim's Island," premiering March 15, 2013 on the Hallmark Channel. The Hallmark Channel is making Friday nights a home for family movies. Hallmark says the movie, starring Irwin, the 14-year-old daughter of the late Steve Irwin, the Australian crocodile hunter, will air as part of the new "Walden Family Theater" series, a Hallmark Channel collaboration with producer Walden Media, ARC Entertainment studio and sponsors Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble. (AP Photo/Hallmark Channel)

Bindi Irwin

This undated image provided by "Growing Up Wild", shows, Bindi Irwin, 13, and Robert Irwin, 8, children of famed animal adventurer Steve Irwin, pet an echidna at the Australian Zoo outside Brisbane, Aus. during a taping of “Growing Up Wild,” a new series from Fremantle Media that can be seen on The Pet Collective, a new YouTube Channel. (AP Photo/Growing Up Wild)

Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin arrives at the 2012 Logie Awards at the Crown Palladium on April 15, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Bindi Irwin arrives at the 2012 Logie Awards at the Crown Palladium on April 15, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

In this handout photo provided by Australia Zoo, Robert Irwin celebrates his eighth birthday with sister Bindi (L) and mother Terri Irwin, at Australia Zoo, on December 1, 2011 in Beerwah, Australia. (Photo by Australia Zoo via Getty Images)
In this handout photo provided by Australia Zoo, Robert Irwin celebrates his eighth birthday with sister Bindi (L) and mother Terri Irwin, at Australia Zoo, on December 1, 2011 in Beerwah, Australia. (Photo by Australia Zoo via Getty Images)

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Robert and Bindi Irwin arrive at the 2011 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Robert and Bindi Irwin arrive at the 2011 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

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Terri Irwin, Robert Irwin and Bindi Irwin  arrive at the 2011 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
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Robert Irwin and Bindi Irwin  arrive at the 2011 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
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Bindi Irwin

TV personality Terri Irwin and her daughter Bindi Irwin arrive on the red carpet ahead of the 2011 Logie Awards at Crown Palladium on May 1, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
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Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin arrives on the red carpet ahead of the 2011 Logie Awards at Crown Palladium on May 1, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Bindi Irwin arrives on the red carpet ahead of the 2011 Logie Awards at Crown Palladium on May 1, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

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Oprah Winfrey poses with Terri Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Robert Irwin during the first taping of the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' at the Sydney Opera House on December 14, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. 12,000 audience members were selected from 350,000 applicants to participate in two tapings of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' at the Sydney Opera House. Oprah descended on Australia last week with 302 super fans from the US, Canada and Jamaica to produce four shows for the 25th and final season of the program. the shows will air in the US and Australia in January 2011.  (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

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TV personality Bindi Irwin arrives at the 52nd TV Week Logie Awards at Crown Casino on May 2, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
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Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin and Terri Irwin arrive on the red carpet at the 2009 ARIA Awards at Acer Arena on November 26, 2009 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
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Bindi Irwin

erri, Robert (Bob) and Bindi Irwin arrive for the Australian Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2009 at Hisense Arena on November 13, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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TV personality Bindi Irwin (R) and Terri Irwin attend the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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TV personality Bindi Irwin blows out the candles on her birthday cake as she celebrates her 11th birthday with her mother Terri Irwin and brother Robert (Bob) Irwin at Australia Zoo on July 24, 2009 in Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast near Brisbane, Australia.  (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
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Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin attends the 36th annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards nomination party at Hearst Tower on May 14, 2009 in New York City.  (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Bindi Irwin attends the 36th annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards nomination party at Hearst Tower on May 14, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

Robert Irwin (C) with his mother Terri and sister Bindi during his fifth birthday celebrations at Australia Zoo on December 1, 2008 on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Robert (Bob) Irwin is the only son of the late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, who was killed by a stingray in 2006.  (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Robert Irwin (C) with his mother Terri and sister Bindi during his fifth birthday celebrations at Australia Zoo on December 1, 2008 on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Robert (Bob) Irwin is the only son of the late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, who was killed by a stingray in 2006. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin attends the official launch of the Australian Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo on November 15, 2008 on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. The opening ceremony timed to coincide with the second annual Steve Irwin Day celebration realised Steve Irwin's dream to establish the world's largest wildlife hospital to honour his mother Lyn Irwin who had been a pioneer in wildlife care in Queesnalnd, Australia. The new hospital is also a living memorial to Steve Irwin.  (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

TV personality and conservationists Bindi arrives at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards 2008 at the Hisense Arena on October 11, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. This year's event, now in its sixth year, was held in Melbourne for the first time in its history.  (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
TV personality and conservationists Bindi arrives at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards 2008 at the Hisense Arena on October 11, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. This year's event, now in its sixth year, was held in Melbourne for the first time in its history. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)

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Conservationists Terri Irwin and daughter Bindi Irwin arrive on the red carpet at the 50th Annual TV Week Logie Awards at the Crown Towers Hotel and Casino on May 4, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
Conservationists Terri Irwin and daughter Bindi Irwin arrive on the red carpet at the 50th Annual TV Week Logie Awards at the Crown Towers Hotel and Casino on May 4, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

Terri Irwin and Bindi Irwin speak backstage with Bindi's Silver Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent in the Media Room at the 50th Annual TV Week Logie Awards at the Crown Towers Hotel and Casino on May 4, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
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Bindi Irwin

Conservationists Terri Irwin and daughter Bindi Irwin arrive on the red carpet at the 50th Annual TV Week Logie Awards at the Crown Towers Hotel and Casino on May 4, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
Conservationists Terri Irwin and daughter Bindi Irwin arrive on the red carpet at the 50th Annual TV Week Logie Awards at the Crown Towers Hotel and Casino on May 4, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)

Bindi Irwin

Bindi, Robert, and Terri Irwin pose at the unveiling of Bindi's new toy line at FAO Schwarz on Febraury 18, 2008 in New York City.  (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images)
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Actor John Travolta and Bindi Irwin stand on stage for Austrailia Plays Broadway during the opening night celebration for G'DAY USA: Australia Week at Jazz Lincoln Center January 22, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.