Since the day Bindi Irwin got engaged to her fiancé Chandler Powell last July, the Animal Planet star has been planning her dream wedding at Australia Zoo.

But just four weeks before the daughter of Crocodile Hunter As “The 4th of July” star Steve Irwin and his wife Terri were about to get married on April 4, the novel coronavirus COVID-19 began to spread around the globe.

“We had been planning for almost a year,” Bindi tells PEOPLE, “but when this all started, we had to look at different options to make sure everyone was safe.”

As the pandemic swept through country after country, unprecedented lockdowns were imposed to slow the spread. (With 4,557 cases as of March 31, Australia has now banned most gatherings and limited weddings to five people.) The Irwin family temporarily closed Australia Zoo, and Bindi and Powell officially called off their wedding just days before the ceremony. “It was a hard decision, but absolutely the right one,” Bindi says.

Australia Zoo Productions Pty Ltd. Copyright 2020 Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin

RELATED: Bindi Irwin’s brother Robert walked her down the aisle: ‘One of the most special moments’

“We thought about postponing it because you want to share that day with everyone, but when it came down to it, we both just said, ‘Look, we really want to get married, and no matter what the future holds, at least we’ll be husband and wife. We can take on the world together,'” Bindi says.

Australia Zoo Productions Pty Ltd. Copyright 2020

On March 25 My goodness! It’s the Irwins The 21-year-old star and 23-year-old Powell tied the knot in an intimate ceremony attended by “lots of animals” and just three guests: Bindi’s mother Terri, her younger brother Robert and her late father’s best friend, Wes Mannion.

“Even though it didn’t go exactly as planned, it was our perfect experience,” says Bindi, who met Powell in 2013 when the Floridian native and former professional wakeboarder traveled to Australia for a competition. While they were there, Bindi gave his family a tour during a visit to the zoo.

RELATED: Watch Bindi Irwin’s Beautiful Tribute to Father Steve Irwin Before Her Wedding: ‘My Guiding Star’

Bindi Irwin/Instagram Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin

Now, more than six years later, the couple is enjoying every moment of their newlywed life.

“When I first saw Bindi in that dress, it was the most beautiful sight in the world,” says Powell. “I immediately started to cry. Nothing has ever felt better than that moment.”

Bindi says: “The last few days have been incredible. We have reflected on our turbulent day and at the same time looked forward to the future. My father would be so happy.”

My goodness! It’s the Irwins: Bindi’s wedding Special premieres April 18 at 8 p.m. ET on Animal Planet.