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The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Destination weddings: should you still buy a gift after forking out on travel
After forking out for flights, accommodation, and a new outfit, a destination wedding guest might start to wonder. Is my presence present enough? Millennials across Australia are in the thick of their wedding guest era and discovering the steep cost of attending celebrations. And destination weddings are the most expensive of them all. So, what is gift-giving etiquette when international travel is involved? Wedding planner Natalie Hagopian said that cash was "always preferred" at a destination wedding, so couples weren't lugging home heavy crystal bowls in their carry-on bags. "While it's still customary to offer something, the expectation for a large or extravagant gift at a destination wedding is significantly lower," she said. "Many couples will explicitly state 'your presence is our gift!' on their wedding website or invitation, acknowledging the substantial financial and time commitment involved for guests." A guest forks out hundreds of dollars on the average wedding gift, the 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report found. A close friend or relative will spend an average of $288 on a wedding present, while other guests tend to spend $159. Close friends and family are spending around $50 more on a gift in 2025 compared to the year before, the report found. One frequent wedding attendee from Geelong said he's stopped giving gifts in favour of cold, hard cash. "Most couples who get married already live together, so they don't need to be bought random stuff for the house," he said. "I think the unspoken rule for cash is usually to pay for your seat, meal and drinks, so [he and his wife] give $250 to $300 for the two of us." READ MORE: Wedded to the drinks cart: how to save money popping corks on the big day More than ever, couples are asking for cash instead of gifts, the wedding industry report found. A whopping 90 per cent of couples had a wishing well for cash gifts at their reception. Only one per cent of couples were prompting guests to buy a present from a gift registry, while nine per cent set up a honeymoon registry. Wedding planner Sharon Munro said wishing wells "have become very popular and are even included in many venue packages". But she said couples were starting to "think outside the box" when requesting gifts from their guests. "Some couples set up experience funds where guests can contribute to things like cooking classes, scuba diving, or guided tours during the honeymoon," she said. "Others opt for charity donations, asking guests to donate to a cause that's meaningful to them in lieu of gifts." Most Australian couples spent around $8,000 more on their wedding than they intended. The average original wedding budget is $27,455, and this figure ballooned to $35,315 by the big day. Couples planning a destination wedding saved some money, with the average cost reaching $29,391, the report found. READ MORE: 'Run away with me': Aussie couples swap big weddings for elopement intimacy Part of the reduced cost could be the smaller guest list, with 74 people attending an average destination wedding, as opposed to 88 guests at a domestic celebration. The majority of Australian couples, 91 per cent, got married at or near home. Just two per cent got hitched overseas, and seven per cent got married in another state or territory, according to the report. Couples are travelling the world to tie the knot, with the top wedding destinations being New Zealand, the United States, Fiji, Italy, Indonesia, Greece, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa. While couples may expect to receive an influx of cash on their wedding day, Ms Munro said most couples were not "counting on gifts of money to cover costs". She said it was "risky and could lead to financial stress if expectations aren't met". Instead, couples tended to plan their wedding based on what they could afford. "Wishing wells offer couples the freedom to use the contributions however they choose - whether it's for items they genuinely need, specific brands they prefer, their honeymoon, or even putting money toward their rent or mortgage." After forking out for flights, accommodation, and a new outfit, a destination wedding guest might start to wonder. Is my presence present enough? Millennials across Australia are in the thick of their wedding guest era and discovering the steep cost of attending celebrations. And destination weddings are the most expensive of them all. So, what is gift-giving etiquette when international travel is involved? Wedding planner Natalie Hagopian said that cash was "always preferred" at a destination wedding, so couples weren't lugging home heavy crystal bowls in their carry-on bags. "While it's still customary to offer something, the expectation for a large or extravagant gift at a destination wedding is significantly lower," she said. "Many couples will explicitly state 'your presence is our gift!' on their wedding website or invitation, acknowledging the substantial financial and time commitment involved for guests." A guest forks out hundreds of dollars on the average wedding gift, the 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report found. A close friend or relative will spend an average of $288 on a wedding present, while other guests tend to spend $159. Close friends and family are spending around $50 more on a gift in 2025 compared to the year before, the report found. One frequent wedding attendee from Geelong said he's stopped giving gifts in favour of cold, hard cash. "Most couples who get married already live together, so they don't need to be bought random stuff for the house," he said. "I think the unspoken rule for cash is usually to pay for your seat, meal and drinks, so [he and his wife] give $250 to $300 for the two of us." READ MORE: Wedded to the drinks cart: how to save money popping corks on the big day More than ever, couples are asking for cash instead of gifts, the wedding industry report found. A whopping 90 per cent of couples had a wishing well for cash gifts at their reception. Only one per cent of couples were prompting guests to buy a present from a gift registry, while nine per cent set up a honeymoon registry. Wedding planner Sharon Munro said wishing wells "have become very popular and are even included in many venue packages". But she said couples were starting to "think outside the box" when requesting gifts from their guests. "Some couples set up experience funds where guests can contribute to things like cooking classes, scuba diving, or guided tours during the honeymoon," she said. "Others opt for charity donations, asking guests to donate to a cause that's meaningful to them in lieu of gifts." Most Australian couples spent around $8,000 more on their wedding than they intended. The average original wedding budget is $27,455, and this figure ballooned to $35,315 by the big day. Couples planning a destination wedding saved some money, with the average cost reaching $29,391, the report found. READ MORE: 'Run away with me': Aussie couples swap big weddings for elopement intimacy Part of the reduced cost could be the smaller guest list, with 74 people attending an average destination wedding, as opposed to 88 guests at a domestic celebration. The majority of Australian couples, 91 per cent, got married at or near home. Just two per cent got hitched overseas, and seven per cent got married in another state or territory, according to the report. Couples are travelling the world to tie the knot, with the top wedding destinations being New Zealand, the United States, Fiji, Italy, Indonesia, Greece, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa. While couples may expect to receive an influx of cash on their wedding day, Ms Munro said most couples were not "counting on gifts of money to cover costs". She said it was "risky and could lead to financial stress if expectations aren't met". Instead, couples tended to plan their wedding based on what they could afford. "Wishing wells offer couples the freedom to use the contributions however they choose - whether it's for items they genuinely need, specific brands they prefer, their honeymoon, or even putting money toward their rent or mortgage." After forking out for flights, accommodation, and a new outfit, a destination wedding guest might start to wonder. Is my presence present enough? Millennials across Australia are in the thick of their wedding guest era and discovering the steep cost of attending celebrations. And destination weddings are the most expensive of them all. So, what is gift-giving etiquette when international travel is involved? Wedding planner Natalie Hagopian said that cash was "always preferred" at a destination wedding, so couples weren't lugging home heavy crystal bowls in their carry-on bags. "While it's still customary to offer something, the expectation for a large or extravagant gift at a destination wedding is significantly lower," she said. "Many couples will explicitly state 'your presence is our gift!' on their wedding website or invitation, acknowledging the substantial financial and time commitment involved for guests." A guest forks out hundreds of dollars on the average wedding gift, the 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report found. A close friend or relative will spend an average of $288 on a wedding present, while other guests tend to spend $159. Close friends and family are spending around $50 more on a gift in 2025 compared to the year before, the report found. One frequent wedding attendee from Geelong said he's stopped giving gifts in favour of cold, hard cash. "Most couples who get married already live together, so they don't need to be bought random stuff for the house," he said. "I think the unspoken rule for cash is usually to pay for your seat, meal and drinks, so [he and his wife] give $250 to $300 for the two of us." READ MORE: Wedded to the drinks cart: how to save money popping corks on the big day More than ever, couples are asking for cash instead of gifts, the wedding industry report found. A whopping 90 per cent of couples had a wishing well for cash gifts at their reception. Only one per cent of couples were prompting guests to buy a present from a gift registry, while nine per cent set up a honeymoon registry. Wedding planner Sharon Munro said wishing wells "have become very popular and are even included in many venue packages". But she said couples were starting to "think outside the box" when requesting gifts from their guests. "Some couples set up experience funds where guests can contribute to things like cooking classes, scuba diving, or guided tours during the honeymoon," she said. "Others opt for charity donations, asking guests to donate to a cause that's meaningful to them in lieu of gifts." Most Australian couples spent around $8,000 more on their wedding than they intended. The average original wedding budget is $27,455, and this figure ballooned to $35,315 by the big day. Couples planning a destination wedding saved some money, with the average cost reaching $29,391, the report found. READ MORE: 'Run away with me': Aussie couples swap big weddings for elopement intimacy Part of the reduced cost could be the smaller guest list, with 74 people attending an average destination wedding, as opposed to 88 guests at a domestic celebration. The majority of Australian couples, 91 per cent, got married at or near home. Just two per cent got hitched overseas, and seven per cent got married in another state or territory, according to the report. Couples are travelling the world to tie the knot, with the top wedding destinations being New Zealand, the United States, Fiji, Italy, Indonesia, Greece, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa. While couples may expect to receive an influx of cash on their wedding day, Ms Munro said most couples were not "counting on gifts of money to cover costs". She said it was "risky and could lead to financial stress if expectations aren't met". Instead, couples tended to plan their wedding based on what they could afford. "Wishing wells offer couples the freedom to use the contributions however they choose - whether it's for items they genuinely need, specific brands they prefer, their honeymoon, or even putting money toward their rent or mortgage." After forking out for flights, accommodation, and a new outfit, a destination wedding guest might start to wonder. Is my presence present enough? Millennials across Australia are in the thick of their wedding guest era and discovering the steep cost of attending celebrations. And destination weddings are the most expensive of them all. So, what is gift-giving etiquette when international travel is involved? Wedding planner Natalie Hagopian said that cash was "always preferred" at a destination wedding, so couples weren't lugging home heavy crystal bowls in their carry-on bags. "While it's still customary to offer something, the expectation for a large or extravagant gift at a destination wedding is significantly lower," she said. "Many couples will explicitly state 'your presence is our gift!' on their wedding website or invitation, acknowledging the substantial financial and time commitment involved for guests." A guest forks out hundreds of dollars on the average wedding gift, the 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report found. A close friend or relative will spend an average of $288 on a wedding present, while other guests tend to spend $159. Close friends and family are spending around $50 more on a gift in 2025 compared to the year before, the report found. One frequent wedding attendee from Geelong said he's stopped giving gifts in favour of cold, hard cash. "Most couples who get married already live together, so they don't need to be bought random stuff for the house," he said. "I think the unspoken rule for cash is usually to pay for your seat, meal and drinks, so [he and his wife] give $250 to $300 for the two of us." READ MORE: Wedded to the drinks cart: how to save money popping corks on the big day More than ever, couples are asking for cash instead of gifts, the wedding industry report found. A whopping 90 per cent of couples had a wishing well for cash gifts at their reception. Only one per cent of couples were prompting guests to buy a present from a gift registry, while nine per cent set up a honeymoon registry. Wedding planner Sharon Munro said wishing wells "have become very popular and are even included in many venue packages". But she said couples were starting to "think outside the box" when requesting gifts from their guests. "Some couples set up experience funds where guests can contribute to things like cooking classes, scuba diving, or guided tours during the honeymoon," she said. "Others opt for charity donations, asking guests to donate to a cause that's meaningful to them in lieu of gifts." Most Australian couples spent around $8,000 more on their wedding than they intended. The average original wedding budget is $27,455, and this figure ballooned to $35,315 by the big day. Couples planning a destination wedding saved some money, with the average cost reaching $29,391, the report found. READ MORE: 'Run away with me': Aussie couples swap big weddings for elopement intimacy Part of the reduced cost could be the smaller guest list, with 74 people attending an average destination wedding, as opposed to 88 guests at a domestic celebration. The majority of Australian couples, 91 per cent, got married at or near home. Just two per cent got hitched overseas, and seven per cent got married in another state or territory, according to the report. Couples are travelling the world to tie the knot, with the top wedding destinations being New Zealand, the United States, Fiji, Italy, Indonesia, Greece, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa. While couples may expect to receive an influx of cash on their wedding day, Ms Munro said most couples were not "counting on gifts of money to cover costs". She said it was "risky and could lead to financial stress if expectations aren't met". Instead, couples tended to plan their wedding based on what they could afford. "Wishing wells offer couples the freedom to use the contributions however they choose - whether it's for items they genuinely need, specific brands they prefer, their honeymoon, or even putting money toward their rent or mortgage."
The Advertiser
04-07-2025
- The Advertiser
'Run away with me': Aussie couples swap big weddings for elopement intimacy
Keeley and Joel Madam were standing on a Tasmanian hillside, almost alone, when they promised to love each other for the rest of their lives. The quiet marriage ceremony, witnessed only by their parents, a celebrant and the seagulls circling Frederick Henry Bay, was the doting couple's dream wedding. They are among other Australian couples who are choosing the flexibility and intimacy of eloping over a traditional wedding. "My idea of a wedding is celebrating my love with my husband, that's all that matters to me," Mrs Madam said. "For me, that's what eloping was: making sure that there was nothing else to think about. No guests, entertaining, and making sure everyone else is ok, I just wanted the whole day to be about us," she said. "I am known to be a little bit of a stress-head, a control freak, and I have never been so laid back in my life. I feel like anything could have gone wrong, and I wouldn't have cared because it was so perfect and cruisy." And it's easy to see the financial appeal of a wedding with four guests. The average wedding has 88 guests, according to the 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report. Couples start their planning process with an average budget of $27,455 but end up spending $35,315, the report found. It's not just the venue, the catering, the hair and makeup. Couples are spending an average of $945 on wedding invitations and $889 on bomboniere. The report found that 10 per cent of couples who were feeling the cost-of-living pinch during the planning process decided to cut guest numbers to lower their expenses. Nicola Bodle, a wedding photographer based in Coffs Harbour, said her clients' faces "light up" in wedding planning meetings when they realise they don't have to conform to traditions. "I always say to people when they contact me, 'you know, there are absolutely no rules -- all you need is a celebrant, two witnesses, and to say a couple of legal words'," she said. READ MORE: Wedded to the drinks cart: how to save money popping corks on the big day "Everything else is totally up to you," the Fox and Kin owner said. "We can go down to the river, have a swim and say some vows." She said the definition of eloping had "evolved and changed over time" but that it tended to be a simple, intimate ceremony with the couple and a handful of witnesses. Eloping had maintained popularity after COVID-19 lockdowns forced many couples' hands, she said. "When the world shut down and all these weddings got cancelled, a lot of people started eloping in 2020 and 2021," Ms Bodle said. But since then, even when people could have bigger weddings, many have opted for an elopement, she said. "I think [the lockdowns] allowed people to start saying 'our wedding day is for us'," the photographer said. While most couples, 91 per cent, get married in their home state or territory, seven per cent travel interstate and two per cent have an overseas wedding. The Madams, who live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, travelled to a scenic Hobart Airbnb for their wedding. Mrs Madam said the couple enjoyed a morning walk near the ocean before her husband-to-be napped on the couch while she had her makeup done. They said their vows when they were ready. "We just didn't want to be stuck to time frames. We went with the flow," she said. "We had a few drinks, danced around, got photos on our terms, we weren't rushing or needing to appease anyone." Bindi Irwin, like her mother, met and fell in love with her future husband at Australia Zoo. She and husband Chandler Powell were among the couples forced to have a small wedding by COVID-19. But the wildlife advocate said she cherished her wedding at her family zoo. "Australia Zoo is our home and the most magical place in the world to have a wedding," she said. Scott and Arrianne also chose the animal sanctuary for their wedding. "We would highly recommend eloping at Australia Zoo. We have the most magical memories and of course unforgettable photos," the couple said. They said it was "an incredible life experience". Keeley and Joel Madam were standing on a Tasmanian hillside, almost alone, when they promised to love each other for the rest of their lives. The quiet marriage ceremony, witnessed only by their parents, a celebrant and the seagulls circling Frederick Henry Bay, was the doting couple's dream wedding. They are among other Australian couples who are choosing the flexibility and intimacy of eloping over a traditional wedding. "My idea of a wedding is celebrating my love with my husband, that's all that matters to me," Mrs Madam said. "For me, that's what eloping was: making sure that there was nothing else to think about. No guests, entertaining, and making sure everyone else is ok, I just wanted the whole day to be about us," she said. "I am known to be a little bit of a stress-head, a control freak, and I have never been so laid back in my life. I feel like anything could have gone wrong, and I wouldn't have cared because it was so perfect and cruisy." And it's easy to see the financial appeal of a wedding with four guests. The average wedding has 88 guests, according to the 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report. Couples start their planning process with an average budget of $27,455 but end up spending $35,315, the report found. It's not just the venue, the catering, the hair and makeup. Couples are spending an average of $945 on wedding invitations and $889 on bomboniere. The report found that 10 per cent of couples who were feeling the cost-of-living pinch during the planning process decided to cut guest numbers to lower their expenses. Nicola Bodle, a wedding photographer based in Coffs Harbour, said her clients' faces "light up" in wedding planning meetings when they realise they don't have to conform to traditions. "I always say to people when they contact me, 'you know, there are absolutely no rules -- all you need is a celebrant, two witnesses, and to say a couple of legal words'," she said. READ MORE: Wedded to the drinks cart: how to save money popping corks on the big day "Everything else is totally up to you," the Fox and Kin owner said. "We can go down to the river, have a swim and say some vows." She said the definition of eloping had "evolved and changed over time" but that it tended to be a simple, intimate ceremony with the couple and a handful of witnesses. Eloping had maintained popularity after COVID-19 lockdowns forced many couples' hands, she said. "When the world shut down and all these weddings got cancelled, a lot of people started eloping in 2020 and 2021," Ms Bodle said. But since then, even when people could have bigger weddings, many have opted for an elopement, she said. "I think [the lockdowns] allowed people to start saying 'our wedding day is for us'," the photographer said. While most couples, 91 per cent, get married in their home state or territory, seven per cent travel interstate and two per cent have an overseas wedding. The Madams, who live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, travelled to a scenic Hobart Airbnb for their wedding. Mrs Madam said the couple enjoyed a morning walk near the ocean before her husband-to-be napped on the couch while she had her makeup done. They said their vows when they were ready. "We just didn't want to be stuck to time frames. We went with the flow," she said. "We had a few drinks, danced around, got photos on our terms, we weren't rushing or needing to appease anyone." Bindi Irwin, like her mother, met and fell in love with her future husband at Australia Zoo. She and husband Chandler Powell were among the couples forced to have a small wedding by COVID-19. But the wildlife advocate said she cherished her wedding at her family zoo. "Australia Zoo is our home and the most magical place in the world to have a wedding," she said. Scott and Arrianne also chose the animal sanctuary for their wedding. "We would highly recommend eloping at Australia Zoo. We have the most magical memories and of course unforgettable photos," the couple said. They said it was "an incredible life experience". Keeley and Joel Madam were standing on a Tasmanian hillside, almost alone, when they promised to love each other for the rest of their lives. The quiet marriage ceremony, witnessed only by their parents, a celebrant and the seagulls circling Frederick Henry Bay, was the doting couple's dream wedding. They are among other Australian couples who are choosing the flexibility and intimacy of eloping over a traditional wedding. "My idea of a wedding is celebrating my love with my husband, that's all that matters to me," Mrs Madam said. "For me, that's what eloping was: making sure that there was nothing else to think about. No guests, entertaining, and making sure everyone else is ok, I just wanted the whole day to be about us," she said. "I am known to be a little bit of a stress-head, a control freak, and I have never been so laid back in my life. I feel like anything could have gone wrong, and I wouldn't have cared because it was so perfect and cruisy." And it's easy to see the financial appeal of a wedding with four guests. The average wedding has 88 guests, according to the 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report. Couples start their planning process with an average budget of $27,455 but end up spending $35,315, the report found. It's not just the venue, the catering, the hair and makeup. Couples are spending an average of $945 on wedding invitations and $889 on bomboniere. The report found that 10 per cent of couples who were feeling the cost-of-living pinch during the planning process decided to cut guest numbers to lower their expenses. Nicola Bodle, a wedding photographer based in Coffs Harbour, said her clients' faces "light up" in wedding planning meetings when they realise they don't have to conform to traditions. "I always say to people when they contact me, 'you know, there are absolutely no rules -- all you need is a celebrant, two witnesses, and to say a couple of legal words'," she said. READ MORE: Wedded to the drinks cart: how to save money popping corks on the big day "Everything else is totally up to you," the Fox and Kin owner said. "We can go down to the river, have a swim and say some vows." She said the definition of eloping had "evolved and changed over time" but that it tended to be a simple, intimate ceremony with the couple and a handful of witnesses. Eloping had maintained popularity after COVID-19 lockdowns forced many couples' hands, she said. "When the world shut down and all these weddings got cancelled, a lot of people started eloping in 2020 and 2021," Ms Bodle said. But since then, even when people could have bigger weddings, many have opted for an elopement, she said. "I think [the lockdowns] allowed people to start saying 'our wedding day is for us'," the photographer said. While most couples, 91 per cent, get married in their home state or territory, seven per cent travel interstate and two per cent have an overseas wedding. The Madams, who live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, travelled to a scenic Hobart Airbnb for their wedding. Mrs Madam said the couple enjoyed a morning walk near the ocean before her husband-to-be napped on the couch while she had her makeup done. They said their vows when they were ready. "We just didn't want to be stuck to time frames. We went with the flow," she said. "We had a few drinks, danced around, got photos on our terms, we weren't rushing or needing to appease anyone." Bindi Irwin, like her mother, met and fell in love with her future husband at Australia Zoo. She and husband Chandler Powell were among the couples forced to have a small wedding by COVID-19. But the wildlife advocate said she cherished her wedding at her family zoo. "Australia Zoo is our home and the most magical place in the world to have a wedding," she said. Scott and Arrianne also chose the animal sanctuary for their wedding. "We would highly recommend eloping at Australia Zoo. We have the most magical memories and of course unforgettable photos," the couple said. They said it was "an incredible life experience". Keeley and Joel Madam were standing on a Tasmanian hillside, almost alone, when they promised to love each other for the rest of their lives. The quiet marriage ceremony, witnessed only by their parents, a celebrant and the seagulls circling Frederick Henry Bay, was the doting couple's dream wedding. They are among other Australian couples who are choosing the flexibility and intimacy of eloping over a traditional wedding. "My idea of a wedding is celebrating my love with my husband, that's all that matters to me," Mrs Madam said. "For me, that's what eloping was: making sure that there was nothing else to think about. No guests, entertaining, and making sure everyone else is ok, I just wanted the whole day to be about us," she said. "I am known to be a little bit of a stress-head, a control freak, and I have never been so laid back in my life. I feel like anything could have gone wrong, and I wouldn't have cared because it was so perfect and cruisy." And it's easy to see the financial appeal of a wedding with four guests. The average wedding has 88 guests, according to the 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report. Couples start their planning process with an average budget of $27,455 but end up spending $35,315, the report found. It's not just the venue, the catering, the hair and makeup. Couples are spending an average of $945 on wedding invitations and $889 on bomboniere. The report found that 10 per cent of couples who were feeling the cost-of-living pinch during the planning process decided to cut guest numbers to lower their expenses. Nicola Bodle, a wedding photographer based in Coffs Harbour, said her clients' faces "light up" in wedding planning meetings when they realise they don't have to conform to traditions. "I always say to people when they contact me, 'you know, there are absolutely no rules -- all you need is a celebrant, two witnesses, and to say a couple of legal words'," she said. READ MORE: Wedded to the drinks cart: how to save money popping corks on the big day "Everything else is totally up to you," the Fox and Kin owner said. "We can go down to the river, have a swim and say some vows." She said the definition of eloping had "evolved and changed over time" but that it tended to be a simple, intimate ceremony with the couple and a handful of witnesses. Eloping had maintained popularity after COVID-19 lockdowns forced many couples' hands, she said. "When the world shut down and all these weddings got cancelled, a lot of people started eloping in 2020 and 2021," Ms Bodle said. But since then, even when people could have bigger weddings, many have opted for an elopement, she said. "I think [the lockdowns] allowed people to start saying 'our wedding day is for us'," the photographer said. While most couples, 91 per cent, get married in their home state or territory, seven per cent travel interstate and two per cent have an overseas wedding. The Madams, who live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, travelled to a scenic Hobart Airbnb for their wedding. Mrs Madam said the couple enjoyed a morning walk near the ocean before her husband-to-be napped on the couch while she had her makeup done. They said their vows when they were ready. "We just didn't want to be stuck to time frames. We went with the flow," she said. "We had a few drinks, danced around, got photos on our terms, we weren't rushing or needing to appease anyone." Bindi Irwin, like her mother, met and fell in love with her future husband at Australia Zoo. She and husband Chandler Powell were among the couples forced to have a small wedding by COVID-19. But the wildlife advocate said she cherished her wedding at her family zoo. "Australia Zoo is our home and the most magical place in the world to have a wedding," she said. Scott and Arrianne also chose the animal sanctuary for their wedding. "We would highly recommend eloping at Australia Zoo. We have the most magical memories and of course unforgettable photos," the couple said. They said it was "an incredible life experience".
