CHÂTEAU BOUFFÉMONT LIVE! RACHAEL ELLEN EVENTS & CHÂTEAU BOUFFÉMONT

Our new series “Château Bouffémont Live” features interviews with guests from the world of events and weddings to provide you with expert advice and insider insight. With the wedding season already underway in the US and restrictions gradually lifting here in France, this week Château Bouffémont’s General Manager Sarp Gogebakan met with Rachael Ellen from Rachael Ellen Events to talk about organizing a post-lockdown wedding in 2022 and the future of weddings. 

SG: Thanks for being with us today Rachael, perhaps you could start by telling us how you got into the wedding business?

RE: I actually always thought I would work in interior design, but when I was at college I was introduced to events planning and I loved it. From there I started to get involved with planning destination weddings and really found my sweet spot because they are so romantic and offer such a great experience for the couple and their guests. That’s how I got started with organizing weddings in France, because it’s such a standout destination for a wedding.

SG: What’s the best thing about a destination wedding in France?

RE: With a destination wedding you automatically have a smaller guest count. When you come to France and bring all your close family and friends together at an exceptional location, like Château Bouffémont, they are guaranteed to have the most incredible experience. It’s also very intentional, you can’t just drop in on a destination wedding like you can at a local event!

SG: What are the biggest challenges in organizing a wedding in 2022? 

RE: Safety is of course the number one priority and there are lots of things you can do to make sure your guests feel comfortable and safe while attending your wedding. Each couple knows their wedding party and what specific requirements certain individual guests or groups might have. Some couples are asking people to be vaccinated before the wedding or at least to inform them if they’ve had their vaccination. In the US people don’t have to wear a mask once they’re vaccinated so there is less mask-wearing but that was something we saw a lot of this year. The general trend across the wedding industry is towards smaller weddings which automatically makes for a safer environment. Finally, the seating plan is a big factor, seating people by household and making sure they are properly spaced helps everyone feel more comfortable.

SG:  What should couples focus their attention and budget on while organizing a wedding in 2022?

RE: With smaller guest counts, couples often have more budget to channel into the wedding experience, so they can use it to add in some special personalised details like a welcome hamper for guests or an activity like a wine-tasting tour. It also means you can drill right down into the finest little details like getting just the right table decoration, tons of flowers, beautiful stationary, amazing entertainment, wonderful food and drink, it all adds up to making the day a real treat for guests. 

SG: How can we be creative and organize an entertaining wedding despite the potential restrictions?

RE: This is something I talk to my clients about a lot, sometimes they think that having a smaller wedding means they should skip things like a band for the evening event, or a change of outfit etc. But everyone is there to have a good time and just because there are less people doesn’t necessarily mean you need to change your plans, you can still have the wedding you dreamed of!

SG:  What are your tips and suggestions for brides & grooms organising a last-minute or express wedding in 2022?

RE:

· Firstly, familiarize yourself with your contracts and know what is and isn’t possible under the terms and conditions for your wedding venue and wedding vendors. It’ll save a lot of headaches if you do need to postpone or adjust your guest count etc.

· Communicate clearly and openly with your vendors, inform them of any changes as far ahead of time as possible so all the necessary arrangements can be made.

· Things will change: food and beverage regulations, seating arrangements, guest numbers etc. lots of things might have to be adjusted in the event of new restrictions so be as flexible as possible.

· If you do need to postpone your wedding for some reason create an availability table for all your key vendors and colour code it to find a date when everyone is available so you can push back your date without changing suppliers.

· People get discouraged if their plan A doesn’t work out but don’t worry your wedding planner will always have a plan B, C and D in mind! So, even if things have to change and adapt you can still have the wedding of your dreams! 

SG: What final message would you like to leave for couples watching us who are planning or thinking about planning their wedding?

RE: Everything is looking really positive going forwards. So, any brides and grooms out there who are thinking about getting married this year or next year and considering a destination wedding you should know that all the vendors and venues are here ready to make it happen for you.

Keep in touch at @chateaubouffemont

A five-point guide to a perfect product launch

Planning an event to launch a new product? With our extensive experience of hosting corporate events at Château Bouffémont, we decided to share with you our five-point guide to making your product launch a resounding success:

  1. Align to your target market

You know your product better than anyone, so when planning your launch remember to focus on your target market. The launch event is about showcasing your product not organizing a fun event for your staff so think about what will appeal to your future customers.

  1. Choose an appropriate theme

Keeping your target market in mind choose a theme that is relevant to your product and reflects the key messages you want your clients to take away. This theme will then guide how you organize your event, the vendors you choose to work with, the entertainment and catering and so on. Here at the chateau we work with a range of top-quality vendors who can adapt their services to a wide variety of themes.

  1. Get the right venue

Once you have your theme, choosing the right venue is an absolutely crucial phase in planning your corporate event. For a product launch the venue needs to be relevant to the product and the chosen theme – a luxury product for example requires a prestigious venue for a truly memorable launch. There are also practical considerations such as ease of access and flexibility in terms of the indoor and outdoor areas available to you in case the weather is changeable. Your venue should also provide a scenic backdrop to your event photos which will be used in your post-launch promotional materials and social media.

  1. Plan engaging entertainment

Every single detail of your event is important but if you want your product to truly shine, make sure your guests have a good time – it’s as simple as that! Offering a form of entertainment that genuinely appeals to your target market will make sure your product sticks in their minds and will also generate positive feedback on the event on your social media accounts, so whether it’s a DJ, a stand-up comic or a hip-hop dance troupe, make sure you put some thought into the entertainment on offer. 

  1. Focus your budget

Gone are the days when companies had unlimited budgets for their events. Your return-on-investment is key to a successful product launch so when organizing your event think about where you will get the biggest returns: fabulous photos you can use for ongoing product promotion, top-class entertainment and a standout theme to generate social media interactions, a truly memorable venue to offer opinion leaders, influencers, future clients and the press a night (or day!) to remember!   

Of course, we think Château Bouffémont is a great fit for all kinds of product launches and here’s why:

– Easy access just 30 kilometers from the center of Paris and 20 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport

– A stunning location with magnificent views from the gardens and historic architectural features

– 5 conference rooms (300m2) with a capacity of up to 70 persons, 140 for seated dinners, 200 for cocktail dinners, 9 suites and sumptuous gardens and grounds

– A team of expert staff working behind the scenes to ensure your event goes smoothly

– A pool of first-class vendors the château can call on to meet your every need 

Our team is on hand to provide their expert advice and support right from the start of the planning stages. So why not get in touch today to find out more? Fill out our contact form here or call us on +33 (0) 1 39 91 20 94.

Château Bouffémont Live! Laurie Arons & Château Bouffémont

After our successful series of live interviews “Let’s Talk Weddings” launched during the first lockdown in France, Château Bouffémont’s General Manager Sarp Gogebakan is delighted to propose a new series: Château Bouffémont Live, over the course of which he will interview a whole host of interesting guests from the world of events and weddings to provide you with expert advice and insider insight.

To kick off this new series we are joined by a very special guest: one of the world’s top wedding planners, Laurie Arons, joining us live from the US. 

SG: For those tuning in who don’t know you, who is Laurie Arons?

LA: I started my wedding planning journey in 1994 when I founded Laurie Arons Special Events. Before that I was a marketing manager for a biotech firm, but when I was made redundant, I decided to follow my heart and set up my own business. 

SG: What services does Laurie Arons Special Events provide?

LA: We are a full-service wedding planning provider, which means we guide clients through the whole planning process from finding a venue right through to the last little details.

SG: I know your firm specialises in multi-day destination weddings, how do you plan a multi-day destination wedding and how long is the ideal duration?

LA: Yes, the majority of our clients now want destination weddings. In terms of the number of days I think 3 or 4 days is the ideal duration for a destination wedding. For example, the guests can arrive on the Thursday for a welcome party, devote Friday to activities, then have the wedding and reception on Saturday, before finishing things off on the Sunday with a lunch and farewell get-together. As regards the planning, we usually start with the choice of venue and the location which is the cornerstone of the whole event. We then work back to look at what is available in the local area in and tailor the activities to the interests and the composition of the group. Anything is possible in terms of activities, hiking, rafting, yoga… if you are coming to France for example you might want to put on a wine tasting or cookery class. The really great thing about a destination wedding is that it allows everyone time to relax, get away from everything, spend time with the couple, and bond as a group.

SG: What should you think about when planning a wedding in France?

LA: It’s much more complicated organising an international wedding than organising your wedding in your home area which you know really well. For a wedding in France or anywhere overseas I really do recommend that people use a full-service planner with experience of the chosen location. For the planner, this type of wedding will require a reconnaissance trip to identify the best local vendors, venues and activities. When we do these types of events we always use a maximum number of local suppliers to support the local community.

SG: What are your five top tips for planning a destination wedding in 2022?

LA: First and foremost, you need to really establish what kind of experience you want and that will form the basis for all the rest of the planning, the venue and location really are the key to a truly unique wedding. I suggest that couples think about their shared history and choose a place which has a personal connection for them. I also think it’s important to find somewhere that has capacity to accommodate all your guests, so they can spend time together over the duration of the vacation. In 2022 we will certainly be in a better place but I still strongly recommend that you carefully check all your contracts for cancellation terms, just in case new Covid restrictions are put into place. And of course, I really do recommend that you hire a wedding planner!

SG: Thank you so much Laurie, that’s great advice and we are very privileged to get these great tips from you. I believe that you also run wedding planning masterclasses?

LA: Yes, I have been running wedding planning masterclasses for 5 or 6 years now and our next event is coming up in December 2021. We’ll be getting together for a 4-day retreat with 12 participants, myself and some hand-picked speakers will share our expertise and I will explain how I have grown and developed my business over the years. The aim is to help less experienced planners take their businesses to the next level, I really love doing these classes and meeting people from all over the world! 

Keep in touch at @chateaubouffemont

Getting married in a French Château

There’s a reason France is considered to be the most romantic country in the world (or are we biased?). Who could avoid falling in love in the land of haute cuisine, fine wines, and high fashion, with its fairytale châteaux, emblematic architecture and famous French flair?

So, it’s no surprise that France features in all the top rankings for destination weddings with Paris, the city of love, right at the top of the leader board.

Château Bouffémont is perfectly located just 30 minutes from Paris and here’s why so many couples have chosen us for their exclusive private-hire venue for their French chateau wedding:

  1. A picture-perfect setting

Inside and out, Château Bouffémont is the epitome of elegance, with its five hectares of grounds on three levels, the terrace with its magnificent views, five reception rooms and nine suites and rooms to accommodate your wedding guests. Each and every one is decorated with the exceptional style and refinement unique to a historic French château, in this case the former home of the Marquise of Preignes and Baron Empain.

  1. An easy-access location

With easy access from the center of Paris and the Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Château Bouffémont not only allows for easy and short transfers for your wedding guests, but will also allow you to take in an array of Paris attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the river Seine after your wedding as part of your honeymoon or an extended stay with your family and friends.

  1. Bespoke service

As well as being able to help at all stages of your wedding planning to help you find the right vendors (photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ, florist, wedding planner etc.), during your stay at Château Bouffémont, our dedicated team will be on hand to meet your every need. The team offers butler service, a full housekeeping team, security staff to ensure your privacy and a concierge service to facilitate your day-to-day living, as well as a private chef so you and your guests can enjoy that famous French gastronomy throughout your stay.

  1. A range of activities

Our private grounds provide the ideal space for both leisure and sport and are conveniently located close to top leisure facilities, so after your big day why not spend some time during your stay at Château Bouffémont getting active with your guests on the tennis courts, horse riding or playing a round of golf? What’s more, we can also arrange activities such as cooking classes, champagne and wine tasting on-site or at an outside location in Paris to give your wedding guests that truly French experience.

  1. An exclusive hire package

Chateau Bouffémont is available for your exclusive hire which means the entire 2000m2 of the Chateau is entirely privatized for you and your guests. Not only does the private hire option mean you have the whole place to yourselves but you will also benefit from the full and exclusive attention of our service team so you can enjoy your French chateau experience with total peace of mind.  

Want to find out more about hiring Chateau Bouffémont for your destination wedding in France or family event? Contact us here or call us on +33 (0) 1 39 91 20 94.

And if you think we might be exaggerating just how wonderful Château Bouffémont is, don’t just take our word for it, read what our guests have to say about us right here!

Editorial for @wedluxe 
Photography: @photographerinparis 
Planning: @sweetcandyshower 
Styling: @estellemonnotevents 
Floral Design: @floret.france 
Stationery: @graphikkart 
Rentals: @maison_options 
Celebrant: @celebrantinparis 
Video: @paris_krup 
Shoes: @jimmychoo 
Hair and Make-up: @jhocruzat 
Cake: @sweet_creations_cakes 
Suit: @chrisvonmartial 
Jewellery: @myrtillebeck

Planning a Chateau Wedding in France | Château Bouffémont

Who hasn’t dreamed of a fairytale wedding, in a movie-set castle, where a beautiful princess marries her handsome prince and they all live happily ever after? Pure fantasy? Not at all, and although the princess is now more likely to be wearing Louboutins than glass slippers, there’s no reason you can’t make your dream come true with a destination wedding at a romantic French château… and here’s how to do it!

Focus your budget on what is most important to you

A French chateau like Château Bouffémont provides a picture-perfect wedding venue with its stunning interiors, picturesque terraces and idyllic gardens offering a whole host of options for your ceremony and reception. You might think this is out of your price range, but like any wedding can control the costs by making considered choices: number of guests, the time of year and day of the week you have your wedding, the size and location of the château, the vendors you use etc. 

Start by thinking about what is most important to you – a large lavish wedding or a small intimate gathering of close friends and family? Partying until the small hours or dining in style before quietly retiring to your room?  These are all questions that a top wedding venue like Château Bouffémont will be happy to work through with you – just pick up the phone and ask.

Choose a venue with minimum travel times

Selecting a venue within easy reach of a major airport that offers options for spending time with family and friends before or after the wedding means you won’t waste precious time travelling between locations. Château Bouffémont is an ideal wedding venue from this perspective. Just a stone’s throw from the capital, access couldn’t be easier for your guests’ arrival and departure and for excursions or photoshoots in Paris before or after your wedding. A chateau wedding also means you don’t have to worry about booking separate accommodation for your guests.

Draw creative inspiration from your venue

The beauty of a prestige wedding venue such as Château Bouffémont is a great source of creative inspiration when planning your wedding: the sumptuous leafy grounds, terraces with views of the rolling countryside, prestigious suites, rooms and salons, and beautiful exterior architecture with its showpiece sweeping staircase have already inspired hundreds of couples who have tied the knot here.

Architectural features can inspire the flower arrangements, vintage patterns and textiles of the interior design can inspire your colour palette. Likewise, for an outdoor wedding the chateau’s exterior architecture and gardens can influence your decorative choices. 

Rely on local support for hassle-free remote planning

Planning a wedding in another country can seem a daunting prospect but when you hire a chateau for a destination wedding you will not only have a full complement of in-house staff on hand to help you plan your stay but also the very best outside vendors to provide everything you need: from wedding catering to music, wedding photography to decoration, taxi services and babysitters. Of course, we can also arrange for you to benefit from the services of a dedicated wedding planner. This lets you benefit from their knowledge of the area and experience in organising events at the venue, taking a weight off your shoulders. You can sit back, relax and enjoy your dream day, knowing everything is taken care of.

Why not plan a vacation around your wedding? 

Depending on how long you stay in France, Château Bouffémont offers a whole range of activities for before or after your event. Our location close to Paris means you can visit the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe or book once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as exclusive wine-tastings, hot-air balloon rides or a private boat cruise along the Seine

Your Dream Wedding at Château Bouffémont

The château is available for exclusive private rental for weddings or events and our staff are on hand to provide their expert advice and support right from the start of the planning stages. So why not get in touch today to find out how we can make your dream wedding a reality? Fill out our contact form here or call us on +33 (0) 1 39 91 20 94 

Planner @lajolietta
Music @violinist_paris
Officiant @yes.in.paris
MUA @thaisalvesbraz
Hair @sabrinabroussillon
Flowers @be.one.paris.florist
Dress @universo.karenrodrigues
Suit @franzenalfaiataria
Accessoires @eliana.rodriguesdesigner

Our Modification Policy: COVID-19

UPDATED: 01.02.2021

For so many of us, it is our passion to celebrate, gather with friends and family, travel and live new experiences. We find joy in those unforgettable moments and share happiness with our most loved ones.

We’re all facing unprecedented disruptions to our day-to-day lives and now, it is our responsibility to protect each-other and keep adjusting to the latest circumstances.

Until it’s time to travel and celebrate life’s memorable moments together again, we’ll update this post as we make thoughtful decisions about bookings, receive the latest guidance from local authorities, and take appropriate steps to keep the Château comfortable and safe for our guests, clients, associates and staff.

In response to changing conditions, we are committed to ensuring flexibility during these challenging times and adapt to our clients’ needs on a daily basis. 


I HAVE AN EXISTING BOOKING

My arrival date was between MARCH 1ST, 2020 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2020 and the booking was already rescheduled to another date:

· Myself, my partner and my immediate family reside in France;

– If the reason to reschedule is related to Covid-19 pandemic and justified, in line with the local regulations and restrictions on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), we will allow the reservation to be changed only within 60 days prior to arrival. 

· Myself or my partner and/or my immediate family reside outside of France;

– If the reason to reschedule is related to Covid-19 pandemic and justified, in line with the local regulations on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), or in accordance with the travel restrictions of the authorities for the related arrival date (borders closed or obligatory quarantine, visa issues), we will allow the reservation to be changed only within 90 days prior to arrival.

Conditions to apply for the criteria above: 

1. Free of charge modification, if rescheduled to another date within 6 months of the latest reservation date. Annual/Seasonal/Daily rate difference will not apply.

2. If rescheduled to another date within more than 6 months of the latest reservation date; annual or seasonal rate difference may apply (refer to our up-to-date official brochure to view current prices). 

3. Any changes to existing bookings will be subject to availability.

4. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.

· If the reason to reschedule is for personal reasons or for pre-caution, is not justified and is not in line with the local regulations on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), or is not in accordance with the travel restrictions of the authorities for the related booking date (borders closed or obligatory quarantine, visa issues), due to high number of rescheduling and limited availability, date modifications are no longer accepted, and booking will be lost. 

Conditions to apply:

1. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.  


I HAVE AN EXISTING BOOKING

My arrival date is between JANUARY 1ST, 2021 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2021 and the booking hasn’t already been rescheduled to another date:

· Myself, my partner and my immediate family reside in France;

– If the reason to reschedule is related to Covid-19 pandemic and justified, in line with the local regulations and restrictions on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), we will allow the reservation to be changed only within 60 days prior to arrival. 

· Myself or my partner and/or my immediate family reside outside of France;

– If the reason to reschedule is related to Covid-19 pandemic and justified, in line with the local regulations on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), or in accordance with the travel restrictions of the authorities for the related arrival date (borders closed or obligatory quarantine, visa issues), we will allow the reservation to be changed only within 90 days prior to arrival.

Conditions to apply for the criteria above:

1. Needs to be scheduled to another date within 12 months of the original booking date.
– If rescheduled to another date within less than 6 months of the original booking date, no charge or fee will apply.
– If rescheduled to another date within more than 6 months of the original booking date; 20% of the total rental value is required to be paid as deposit to reschedule. The amount will be deducted from the remaining deposit payment.

2. Annual/Seasonal/Daily rate difference will not apply. 

3. Any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability.

4. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.

· If the reason to reschedule is for personal reasons or as a precaution, is not justified and is not in line with the local regulations on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), or is not in accordance with the travel restrictions of the authorities for the related booking date (borders closed or obligatory quarantine, visa issues), due to high number of rescheduling and limited availability, date modifications are no longer accepted, and booking will be lost. 

Conditions to apply:

1. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.  


I HAVE AN EXISTING BOOKING

My arrival date is between JANUARY 1ST, 2022 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2023 :

· Due to high number of rescheduling and limited availability, date modifications are currently suspended until further notice. Further announcements will be made in the following months on this post. Please contact us back at a later date.


I WANT TO MAKE A NEW BOOKING FOR 2021 

Conditions to apply: 

1. Only a deposit of 20% instead of 50% is required to confirm a booking.

2. Payment schedule can be put in place with up to 5 installments.

3. Balance payment will be due only 14 days prior to the event.

4. Reservations can be rescheduled to another date within 12 months of the original booking date.

5. Annual/Seasonal/Daily rate difference will not apply.

6. Any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability.

7. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.  


I WANT TO MAKE A NEW BOOKING FOR 2022 or 2023

Conditions to apply: 

1. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to confirm a booking.

2. Balance payment will be due 60 days prior to the event.

3. Due to high number of rescheduling and limited availability, date modifications are currently suspended until further notice. Further announcements will be made in the following months on this post. Please contact us back at a later date. 

4. Any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability.

5. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.  

THE CHÂTEAU BOUFFÉMONT VLOG: GIFT WRAPPING FOR CHRISTMAS WITH CHÂTEAU BOUFFÉMONT

The Château Bouffémont Vlog N° 013: Gift wrapping: an expert guide

Christmas is nearly here and after putting up the Christmas decorations, decorating your Christmas tree, and planning the menus, it’s now time to think about gifts and the dreaded task of gift wrapping! But don’t panic, one of Château Bouffémont’s expert vendors – the talented Akiko Kovacs – is here to help, with her three-step guide to gift wrapping for Christmas and gift wrapping tips.

If you are behind with your Christmas preparations, check out our article on decorating for Christmas Château Bouffémont style for DIY Christmas decoration ideas. 

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The Château Bouffémont Vlog: Christmas Decorations with Château Bouffémont

The Château Bouffémont Vlog N° 012: Deck the halls Château Bouffémont style! 

Christmas is coming and at Château Bouffémont we love to go all out for the holiday season. After all, Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones and treating them to something really special, and what could be more special than celebrating the festive season in a beautiful French chateau? 

Here, we go behind the scenes with Parisian-based florist, decorator and friend of the château Akiko Kovacs to bring you ideas for decorating for Christmas Château Bouffémont style!

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5 Ways to Infuse Your Wedding Dress With the Finest French Style and Become an Effortless French-Girl Bride on Your Wedding Day

Such is the strength of the French signature wedding dress style – blending classicism, ease and a nonchalant sensibility in a manner you might have long regarded as inimitable – that it’s unsurprising so many brides nonetheless seek to emulate or at least borrow elements of this aesthetic.

                                                                                                                                                 

Indeed, when you are looking to host the most memorable chateau wedding in France at a sumptuous Parisian venue like Château Bouffémont, it may seem borderline uncouth not to appropriate at least some aspects of the legendary French bridal style.

 

So, here are just a few of the ways you can make it possible for your own gown – as advised by leading wedding dress designers. 

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Let’s Talk Weddings: SacreBleu & Château Bouffémont

 

Each week during lockdown our General Manager, Sarp Gogebakan, has been live on Instagram for Let’s Talk Weddings – a series of interviews with Château de Bouffémont vendors offering inspiration and useful tips on weddings and events. This is the final episode of the series as lockdown restrictions have been almost entirely lifted in France, but don’t worry we will be back soon with some great new concepts, as activities at the château gradually pick up!

 

Last week, for our final interview, we spoke to Stéphanie Boutet-Fajol the founder of SacreBleu, a Paris-based travel agency specialized in personal assistance and unique experiences in Paris and the surrounding area.

 

 

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