Bindi Irwin Had Creative Idea For Her Wedding Gown After Mom’s Dress Didn't Fit

Apr 06, 2020 by apost team

Amid the global health pandemic going on in the world, Bindi Irwin got married to her longtime love Chandler Powell at Australia Zoo on March 25. The pair's planned 200-guest wedding was scrapped in favor of an intimate ceremony with only three guests, in order to keep everyone safe from Coronavirus. But their creative change of plan didn't end there. Bindi also took initiative in finding her perfect dress, after her mom Terri's dress, which she had wanted to wear since she was a child, didn't fit her and was too old to be tailored. She ended up choosing a dress from Brisbane boutique Paddington Weddings that not only mimicked her mom's dress but also paid homage to her father and family.

Bindi recounted the story of her wedding dress to People Magazine, who had the exclusive photos of her special day. She explained: "I wanted something very similar because I've admired [my mom's] dress since I was tiny. When I was about 12 years old, I put on mum's wedding dress and it was a really, really special... it's over 50 years old because it's been in the family for that long."

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However, after the original dress didn't fit her properly and was deemed too old to be tailored, Bindi got creative. She ended up finding her perfect dress at Paddington Weddings, a Brisbane boutique that specializes in 100% Australian made wedding dresses. There she found a gown that "mimicked" her mom's and even included a detail that she told People "reminded me of my family and my dad."

The detail in question was gorgeous and intricate sunflower lace long sleeves. She explained the connection: "When we would go on projects and drives together, we'd often drive through these huge sunflower fields in the middle of nowhere and we always stopped to take them in."

She continued discussing how she knew the gown was the one: "[The dress] was really special and beautiful...It was just perfect, I said 'Oh my goodness, that's the dress,' and we all started crying again."

But it wasn't the only way she honored her late father Steve on her big day. The particular location of the ceremony ––  an area at Australia Zoo where the family had filmed for many years –– was chosen for its special connection to the family. Not only that, but they had Steve's photo, along with his dog Sui, blown up and placed on an easel, so that Terri and Steve's best friend Wes Mannion were standing right next to him. 

On top of that, she also included a nod to him by tying her bouquet together with a piece of khaki fabric, joking that while brides usually have something blue, she had khaki.

But Steve and Terri weren't the only family members honored in the ceremony. Her brother Robert walked her down the aisle. He shared a moving Instagram post accompanying a photo of Bindi and Chandler on their special day. He wrote: "25/03/2020. This is a day that we will never forget. Bindi and Chandler, words cannot describe how happy and proud I am that today you started your married life and celebrated love during a difficult time for our world. And I was beyond honoured to get to walk Bindi down the aisle today."

He acknowledges the wedding plans changing in order to keep everyone safe, and ends on this beautiful note: "It truly was an emotional and beautifully spontaneous day... I know that Dad was with us, and we are all so delighted for your future as husband and wife. I love you both."

On top of the already shared photos of Bindi and Chandler's ceremony, behind-the-scenes footage of their wedding will be aired on an Animal Planet special titled Crikey! It's the Irwins: Bindi's Wedding, which is set to premiere on April 18.

What did you think of Bindi's touching tribute to all the members of her family? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this on to your family and friends.