Now that Bindi Irwin and longtime boyfriend Chandler Powell are engaged, it seems that wedding planning is already in full swing, and the adorable pair have some big plans for the special day.
Speaking to ET about her upcoming wedding, which the couple are expecting to take place sometime next year, Bindi explained that one of the things she thinks is most important is incorporating her family, and honoring the memory of her late father, Steve Irwin.
The young nature conservationist reflected on her plans, which she says she’s thought about since she was “a little girl,” and one thing she wants for certain is for her younger brother, Robert Irwin, to accompany her down the aisle when the time comes, stepping into the role that would have otherwise been filled by her dad.
“I think that for me, it’ll be really important that Robert walks me down the aisle,” Bindi shared. “That’s something that I really want to do.”
“I’m always so grateful that Robert is there, and he has been such a big part of my life and he’s always stepped up and been the one to give me a hug when I need it and encourage me forward in life,” Bindi reflected. “So he will definitely be the one to walk me down the aisle when the time comes, and I think that will make it really special.”
13 PHOTOSBindi Irwin and Chandler Powell togetherSee GalleryBindi Irwin and Chandler Powell together
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 04: Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin attend the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner at SLS Hotel on May 04, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by John Wolfsohn/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 03:Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin attend The Paley Center For Media Presents: An Evening With The Irwins: “Crikey! It’s The Irwins” Screening And Conversation at The Paley Center for Media on May 03, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MAY 05:Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin attend the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner 2018 at SLS Hotel on May 5, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 26:(L-R) Robert Irwin, Terri Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell attend the ceremony honoring Steve Irwin with star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 26, 2018 in Hollywood, California.(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
(L-R) Wakeboarder Chandler Powell and conservationist and TV personalityBindi Irwin pose for a photo at the ceremony for Steve Irwin, who was honored posthumously with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California on April 26, 2018. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP)(Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 26:Wakeboarder Chandler Powell (L) and conservationist/TV personality Bindi Irwin attend Steve Irwin being honored posthumously with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 26, 2018 in Hollywood, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – APRIL 24:Wakeboarder Chandler Powell (L) and conservationist/TV personality Bindi Irwin visit Hallmark’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 24, 2018 in Universal City, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 13:(L-R) Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell attend the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills on May 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 21:Chandler Powell (L) and Bindi Irwin arrive for the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on May 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 21:Wakeboarder Chandler Powell (L) and TV personality Bindi Irwin attend the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on May 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Bindi Irwin and boyfriend Chandler Powell walk the red carpet at Country Music Channel Awards 2016 at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on March 10, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia.
Terri, Robert and Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell walk the red carpet at Country Music Channel Awards 2016 at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on March 10, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia.
DANCING WITH THE STARS – Episode 2103 – Host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and Season 19 Mirrorball Champion, Alfonso Ribeiro, returned to the ballroom for a special TV Night themed episode of “Dancing with the Stars” LIVE on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Television Network. Taking part in the celebration, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, The Great Gonzo, Pepé the King Prawn, and other Muppets kicked off the evening followed by a huge opening number featuring the cast of “Dancing with the Stars.” The night continued when each couple performed an all-new routine to a theme song that commemorates iconic television throughout history, from “Breaking Bad” to “I Dream of Jeanie” and beyond. At the end of the night, the couple with the lowest combined judges and viewer votes from Tuesday, September 22 was eliminated. (Adam Taylor/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)Up Next
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“And I think that’s what dad would have wanted as well,” she added.
The 21-year-old animal expert lost her father, the famed “Crocodile Hunter,” in a tragic accident in 2006, when she was only eight years old. Since then, she and her family — including Robert and their mom, Terri Irwin, have dedicated much of their lives to honoring and preserving Steve’s memory, and continuing his efforts in the field of animal conservation.
Bindi plans to ask Robert to walk her down the aisle, but when it comes to the traditional father-daughter dance that is a staple of so many weddings, Bindi said she’d likely be turning to her mother for the honor.
“I think, if I was going to do a dance, it would be with my mom. My mom and I are so close. She’s my pillar of strength in life and I love her beyond description,” Bindi shared. “So I think, when the time comes, Robert will walk me down the aisle, [Chandler and I] will have our wonderful moment and I’ll have my dance with mom. I think that would be wonderful.”
The young TV personality and past Dancing With the Stars Mirrorball trophy champion said that she and Chandler have both turned to Terri many times for “little pearls of wisdom” when it comes to love and relationships.
“She said to me a few months ago, she said, ‘Your dad and I used to always talk about what makes a perfect marriage, or a really wonderful marriage, and what’s interesting is that for us, it was kind of that feeling of comfort.’ So you know, your relationship can be this wonderful, exciting adventure, but you want to find someone who, at the end of the day, you’re really comfortable with,” Bindi explained.
According to Bindi, Terri once compared the amazing connection between herself and her late husband to a favorite pair of beloved “old 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,” Bindi explained. “And she 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.'”
“Her marriage advice is so wonderful, because I feel like that’s what we have,” Bindi added.
The cute couple shared the exciting news of their engagement to Instagram on Wednesday, with a super sweet snapshot of Bindi, her new fiance, and her stunning new diamond sparkler.
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The most beautiful surprise. Chandler and Robert worked together to capture the moment I said ‘YES’. We were in the gardens of Australia Zoo and it was beyond perfect. I never even knew Robert was there photographing and I’ll always be grateful to have these special memories of the most amazing day of my life. ❤️
A post shared byBindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0S9RcUhwVq/
July 24th 2019 ❤️ On my birthday I said ‘yes’ and ‘forever’ to the love of my life. Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you and every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure and true happiness. I’m so looking forwarding to spending our forever together as your wife. Here’s to a lifetime of friendship, purpose and unconditional love. — Now let’s get married already!
A post shared byBindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on
Later that day, she shared a snapshot of the proposal itself, captured on camera by her brother.
“The most beautiful surprise. Chandler and Robert worked together to capture the moment I said ‘YES’. We were in the gardens of Australia Zoo and it was beyond perfect,” Bindi captioned the pic. “I never even knew Robert was there photographing and I’ll always be grateful to have these special memories of the most amazing day of my life.”
“It was so special. I think I was crying enough for both of us,” Bindi shared with ET. “I’m like, ‘Oh no! I just got all this mascara on, please don’t cry too much.'”
However, Bindi admitted that there was a certain “bittersweet” element to the special moment. “It was so incredibly special. But then, at the same time for me on a personal note, there’s people who I really wish could be here today for this time in my life,” she shared. “Particularly my dad.”
“I wish that he could be here to be getting excited and welcome [Chandler] into the family, and I think that’s really challenging [for me],” Bindi explained. “I think that Dad would have loved him so much and he would have been so excited that he’s now part of our family.”
It would be hard not to appreciate Chandler’s effort and his devotion. While they just now got engaged, it seems that sharing his life with Bindi has been something Chandler’s been sure of for years.
“This was six years in the making,” Chandler added. “Ever since day one, I knew Bindi was the perfect girl for me and the one and the most beautiful person in the world.”
According to the 22-year-old former professional wakeboarder — who now works with the Irwins at the Australia Zoo in Queensland — he got Terri and Robert’s blessing before popping the question.
“We’ve been a family for six years, so they feel like family to me too, and they’re just the most supportive people in the entire world… So I really wanted to ask them but also make that special too,” Chandler recalled, before detailing the heartfelt and earnest way he broached the subject with his future mother- and brother-in-law, with a picnic in the Australia Zoo gardens.
“I asked them, ‘You know, I really love Bindi, she is the girl of my dreams and I am so blessed to spend my life with her,'” he recalled, “‘and I really want to ask you guys permission to marry Bindi.'”
“Immediately, they were so supportive, they gave me the biggest hug and said welcome to the family, and it was really, really special,” Chandler shared, adding that he’s always felt accepted and appreciated by Bindi’s family, who have been “involving me 100% from day one.”
“It’s been the best adventure of my entire life,” he added with a smile.
“I think that’s what Dad would have wanted the most [for me]. He would have wanted someone for me that would just be ready to take on anything, and that’s definitely you,” Bindi shared with her future husband. “So it works out.”
24 PHOTOSSteve Irwin and Bindi Irwin togetherSee GallerySteve Irwin and Bindi Irwin together
AUSTRALIA – JULY 23: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) TV presenter adventurer, crocodile hunter Steve Irwin with daughter Bindi Irwin and ‘Bazzle’ the python snake at Australia Zoo. (Photo by Graeme Parkes/Newspix/Getty Images)
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AUSTRALIA – JULY 23: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) TV presenter adventurer, crocodile hunter Steve Irwin with daughter Bindi Irwin and ‘Bazzle’ the python snake at Australia Zoo. (Photo by Graeme Parkes/Newspix/Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA – JULY 23: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Bindi Irwin, daughter of crocodile hunter Steve Irwin and his wife Terri Irwin poses with Bazzle the Burmese Python snake at Australia Zoo. (Photo by Graeme Parkes/Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 22: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Bindi Irwin, 2, daughter of Steve Irwin, with with Burmese Pythons. (Photo by Graeme Parkes/Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 14, 2002:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin with his wife Terri Irwin, and daughter Bindi Irwin, and a baby crocodile at Australia Zoo in Queensland. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
Steve Irwin with his wife Terri and daughter Bindi (Photo by John Stanton/WireImage)
Steve Irwin with his wife Terri and daughter Bindi (Photo by John Stanton/WireImage)
Steve Irwin, Terri Irwin & daughter Bindi Irwin during “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course” Premiere at Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
Steve Irwin, Terri Irwin & daughter Bindi Irwin during “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course” Premiere at Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
Steve Irwin, Terri Irwin & daughter Bindi (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
Steve Irwin, Terri Irwin & daughter Bindi Irwin (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 18, 2002:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) 3-year-old Bindi Irwin, the daughter of ‘Crocodile Huter’ Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin, wearing a sample of her children’s fashion label ‘Bindi Wear’ with large snake draped around her body at Australia Zoo. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 18, 2003:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) 4-year-old Bindi Irwin, the daughter of ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin, has been on 302 flights, both domestic and international. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER November 20, 2003:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, who is Queensland’s Australian of the Year 2004 state finalist, is congratulated by his daughter Bindi Irwin and wife Terri Irwin at Australia Zoo. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 3: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Steve Irwin and daughter Bindi gives a press conference outside his Australia Zoo at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast defending his actions in taking son Bob (1 mth) into fenced crocodile enclosure on January 2, 2004. (Photo by Graeme Parkes/Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 2: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Steve Irwin and wife Terri, with daughter Bindi and baby son Bob, at a blessing ceremony by Tibetan Buddhist nuns, for the Irwin youngster.(Photo by Graeme Parkes/Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 3, 2004:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Steve Irwin with his wife, Terri Irwin, and Steve’s father, Bob Irwin, and daughter Bindi Irwin, at a press conference at Australia Zoo after Steve received criticism for holding his one month old son, Bob, during a crocodile feeding performance. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 20: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Steve Irwin, who is Queensland’s Australian of the Year 2004 state finalist, is congratulated by his daughter Bindi Irwin and wife Terri Irwin. (Photo by Nathan Richter/Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 1, 2005:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, with his wife Terri Irwin, daughter Bindi Irwin, and son Bob Irwin, on Bob’s 2nd birthday, at Australia Zoo sign at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
ULURU, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 2: Steve Irwin poses with his daughter Bindi Irwin October 2, 2006 in Uluru, Australia. (Photo by Australia Zoo via Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 25, 2005:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin with his children, Bindi Irwin and Bob Irwin, and a 3-year-old alligator called ‘Russ’ at Australia Zoo in Queensland. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 25, 2005:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin with children, Bindi Irwin and Bob Irwin, at Australia Zoo. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 25, 2005:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Steve Irwin with his daughter, Bindi Irwin, and a 3-year-old alligator called ‘Russ’ at Australia Zoo. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 25:(EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Bob, Steve and Bindi Irwin pose with 3yr old alligator Russ at Australia Zoo on June 25, 2005 on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. (Photo by MeganSlade/Newspix/Getty Images)
BEERWAH, AUSTRALIA:Terri Irwin (2nd-L), wife of Australian environmentalist and television personality Steve Irwin, with daughter Bindi, son Bob and best mate Wes Mannion (R) attend a memorial service for her husband at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, 20 September 2006.Irwin, known as the “Crocodile Hunter”, was killed on September 04 by a stingray barb during a diving expedition on the Great Barrier Reef. AFP PHOTO(Photo credit should read STEVE HOLLAND/AFP/Getty Images)
