Fairmont Chateau Laurier – Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue

Fairmont Chateau Laurier – Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue

Venue Review Part 3: Fairmont Chateau Laurier - Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue

Step into a venue where time stands still, where every room is steeped in history, where generations of newlyweds have walked the marbled floors, danced a first dance under the chandeliers. This is the fairytale castle that brides tell me they dreamed of getting married at since they were little. It’s also the venue where sometimes even their parents were married so it has great meaning to the family. The hotel has hosted all major dignitaries and celebrities and is a true luxury wedding venue.

This historic and iconic landmark is our 120-year-old castle nestled in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Grand ballrooms, high opulent ceilings, luxurious suites with the service level and cuisine that the Fairmont brand of hotels is known for. It’s a statement venue that exudes opulence, but fair warning, its interiors are a bold proclamation of luxury, you either love it or it’s not your thing. This is not a neutral space, less light and airy, more moody castle vibes.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier Adam Room foyer - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Time for another review with your expert guide in all downtown wedding venue options! Make sure you don’t miss Part 1: The National Arts Centre (NAC) and Part 2: Ottawa Westin’s Venue TwentyTwo! Let me equip you with the information you need to pick the perfect wedding venue for your unforgettable day. I am reviewing a beautiful historical wedding venue today, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. Let’s start with all the reasons I love this venue.

The pros

There is only one Fairmont Chateau Laurier, it is a true statement venue. There are no other spaces that have a similar style or the classic heritage look and feel of this beautiful hotel.

Many venues only have one or two spaces for wedding receptions but this venue has four luxe spaces to consider depending on the size of your guest list. The Laurier room, the Drawing room, the Adam room and then the biggest of them all the Ballroom. 

Each reception room has their own distinct style and colour scheme and is best for different guest counts.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Laurier room - Agatha Rowland | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

The Laurier room is the smallest of the reception spaces and is perfect for guest counts of under 125 in my opinion. It has its own private foyer for your cocktail hour situated at the end of the French Corridor. The terrace can be used for beautiful golden hour photos. It has 18-foot ceilings with eight chandeliers, candelabra style wall sconces, two mirrored walls and Roman columns around the perimeter of the room that give this reception room warmth and intimacy. It’s likely the most neutral of the spaces at Chateau Laurier, mainly cream with the exception of the burgundy drapes.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Drawing room - Lauren McCormick photography | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

The Drawing room is a beautiful corner room which is due for a full refresh by March 2024 to remove the hints of green you see in this photo. It’s the perfect size for weddings of 125-145. The room has unique alcoves in each corner, a sculpted ceiling with ornate detailing, five chandeliers as well as wall sconces that lend a warmth to this space. One of my favourite parts of the Drawing room is the foyer just outside where you would hold your cocktail hour. It’s a large space that is sectioned off but holds so much of the character of this heritage hotel which makes it a grand space to host your guests while they mingle before dinner.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier Adam Room - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

The Adam room is one of my favourites since it’s the perfect size to host weddings of 130-170 guests. Known as the “Wedgwood” or “Oval” Room, the Adam Room was named after the British architect Robert Adam. This luxurious room is a unique start to your wedding design with ornate sculpted ceilings, three massive crystal chandeliers, two mirrored walls and an oval shape.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier Ballroom - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

As the grandest room, the Ballroom has welcomed Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and numerous other famous people and politicians. With an 18-foot ceiling, the ballroom is decorated in a Renaissance-style making it a luxury reception room easily hosting up to 250 guests. Soaring windows along one wall are reflected in the numerous mirrors surrounding the room and provide natural light for daytime events

Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Canadian room ceremony - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

For ceremony spaces we have generally seen couples use the Canadian room which is located on the lower level. It’s a space that is very long and narrow with no windows. Though it does carry some of the character of the rest of the Chateau Laurier it isn’t as opulent of a space.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Laurier room ceremony - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

A better ceremony option is to consider booking for example the Laurier room or the Drawing room. This is for couples who want the grandness of the Chateau Laurier to extend to their ceremony as well as their reception. The higher ceilings and chandeliers in these rooms lend to this.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier, cuisine -  Agatha Rowland | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

The Chateau Laurier offers an elevated culinary experience truly living up to the Fairmont brand of excellence. They have white glove service which is an elegant touch for your guest experience. The wedding packages I prefer are the ones that include restaurant-style ordering which means guests choose their main course in the moment and it saves you from having to track guest meal choices in their RSVPs. It’s also nice for guests to be able to choose what they are in the mood for then, not having to decide months before. The Chateau Laurier is the only venue I know of offering this option. They are also willing to create specialty menu items and collaborate on how to elevate the guest dining experience with innovative presentation. At one fall wedding, I worked with their pastry chef to create a unique dessert display featuring a few of the couples favourite sweets.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Couple getting married - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

I can tell you from personal experience that supportive staff makes all the difference in ensuring you have an enjoyable, stress-free wedding. From pre-sales to the banquet team, the Chateau Laurier staff is focused on serving their couples. With years of experience, and a commitment to going that extra mile, my experience is that weddings just run smoothly at Chateau Laurier. As a Planner, I appreciate how there is always someone on hand during your wedding day or they are a text away. At one recent wedding, our couple wanted guests to feel like true VIPs. The Chateau team and I collaborated to create a very formal guest entrance with several white gloved servers with trays of Veuve Clicquot champagne lining the hallway as guests moved from ceremony to cocktail. Guests were so impressed!

Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Prime Minister suite - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Lastly, the Chateau Laurier is not just a venue, it’s also a hotel! Imagine the convenience of having easy access to your honeymoon suite for those moments of freshening up, changing, or simply catching your breath. Your out-of-town guests can enjoy your wedding to the fullest without the hassle of timing or transportation and  your wedding party can take advantage of beautiful and comfortable rooms for getting ready.. If you opt for an on-site ceremony, a secondary getting-ready location is also included. This allows you to seamlessly transition from photos to ceremony to reception, all in one location.

The cons

If you’re considering hosting your wedding at the Chateau Laurier, there are some important details to keep in mind. As one of their preferred wedding Planners, I can assist you in navigating these intricacies.

While the venue’s team is fantastic to collaborate with, similar to many other venues, they do not provide a ‘day-of coordinator.’ Therefore, having your own Planner who has guided you this far will also greatly benefit you on your wedding day, as numerous essential tasks fall outside the scope of the venue’s events team or banquet manager.

Having a Planner who is well-versed in the Chateau Laurier’s event procedures and team dynamics will ensure seamless execution, prompt resolution of any last-minute issues, and ultimately ensure an experience you, your families, and your guests would enjoy to the fullest!

Next, the Chateau Laurier is a statement venue that offers a very distinct “look” that you will either love or it’s not your thing. If you seek a blank space to make your own that is flooded with natural light, Chateau Laurier is not the ideal choice, as it’s known for its unique aesthetic. So ensure it would fit with your style and vision for your wedding before you get too attached.

While it’s wonderful that the Chateau Laurier offers four stunning spaces, it’s crucial to understand that each reception room has a minimum spend requirement, typically associated with the number of guests. It’s always better to work with Planner early on to ensure the room you desire aligns with your budget and guest count. Don’t start falling in love with the Ballroom and then not be able to meet the minimum spend requirement. This can be very disappointing. Trust me.

Each room boasts a particular style, which significantly influences your design options. For instance, the Laurier Room features a more neutral colour scheme, but if it’s too small for your guest count, you’ll need to explore other options. 

Each reception space has different carpet, paint colour, chandeliers, ceiling architecture and other unique elements that when considered early on can be worked into and enhance your decor decisions. I have planned weddings in all of the spaces and know how to work with each of them.

Lastly, as the Chateau Laurier is conveniently located in downtown Ottawa, parking is limited and is reserved for hotel room guests only due to the current expansion of the hotel. It is important to add parking information with your invitations or your wedding website. There are many options but guests should be aware of the parking situation ahead of time. Often, I hear that couples are having a hard time starting their ceremony on time due to guests who didn’t leave enough time to park. As a Planner familiar with this venue, I have some tricks to make sure your ceremony starts on time!

Recap

R  Historic luxury venue
R  Diverse reception spaces
R  Exceptional cuisine
R  Experienced staff
R  On-site accommodations
Q  Very distinct design to work with
Q  Limited parking

Having done countless weddings at the Chateau Laurier, I am very familiar with their team and their spaces. Let me guide you from your first venue tour to the day your fairytale wedding vision comes to life, enjoying every step along the way.

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Bonus Video!

I was fortunate to have Grey Loft Studio at some of my favourite Chateau Laurier weddings in 2023 and they produced these fabulous room tour videos for me! You’ll also find some room reveal videos in the Couples section of the site along with the couples’ testimonial. Enjoy!

Adam Room

Up Next!

Next on my blog is the National Gallery of Canada, my last downtown wedding venue review in this series!

POST INFO AND CREDITS

If you liked this post …

Be sure to read my other posts in this serious on our fabulous Ottawa wedding venues!

National Gallery of Canada – Ottawa’s most prestigious wedding venue

The National Gallery is for couples who really want to WOW their guests with a luxury wedding venue. Housing Canada’s most treasured works of art, this is a true guest experience that will not be easily forgotten. Let me take you through everything you need to know about hosting your wedding here.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier – Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue

Fairmont Chateau Laurier is Ottawa’s most iconic downtown wedding venue. It’s our castle in the city with the amenities of a hotel. A true luxury option to host your wedding day and wow your guests. Let me take you through everything you should consider before saying “yes” to this Ottawa treasure.

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

An elegant glass box perched on the top of the Ottawa Westin, TwentyTwo offers the best views of our Nation’s Capital skyline. With the convenience of an upscale hotel, floor to ceiling windows, excellent service and food there are many pros, but as always there are things to consider.

National Arts Centre (NAC) – A Downtown Ottawa Wedding Gem

The NAC is located right in the heart of downtown Ottawa. It’s proximity to Parliament Hill, the canal, and our beautiful hotels makes it a true downtown wedding venue. With light-filled ceremony and reception areas, its one of the prettiest, neutral spaces in the city but there are a few things to be aware of if you are considering this wedding venue.

Ultimate Pricing Comparison of the Top 5 Downtown Ottawa Wedding Venues

The biggest question when choosing your venue is usually around pricing. Since all venues have different packages and line items, it’s not easy to make a true comparison. Let’s get started with our Top 5 downtown Ottawa venue price comparison!

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Stephanie & Mike

Stephanie & Mike

Stephanie & Mike

Luxury white wedding at Fairmont Chateau Laurier ballroom and Laurier room

Luxury white wedding at Fairmont Chateau Laurier ballroom and Laurier room

We now have the most beautiful memories of the most memorable day of our lives and we absolutely could not have done it without Erica.

Bride, groom with wedding planner in ballroom of Fairmont Chateau Laurier photo by Grey Loft Studio

There are no words that can be said to thank Erica enough for what she has done for us. I’m getting emotional while writing this because of the huge impact she has had on our lives over the past year. We now have the most beautiful memories of the most memorable day of our lives and we absolutely could not have done it without Erica. She was able to work literal miracles when we found out I was pregnant and had to change our wedding date days after signing all our major vendor contracts. Her knowledge, expertise, work ethic and reputation in the industry make her an invaluable asset you can’t plan a wedding without! She will make special moments for you as a couple and will make sure that all your loved ones have an amazing and memorable experience as well. We loved and looked forward to every interaction we had with her and we already miss our regularly scheduled zoom calls. All you need to do is have one conversation with her and you will know you are in good hands.

Stephanie & Mike

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Sophie & Andre

Sophie & Andre

Sophie & Andre

Luxury white summer wedding at Fairmont Chateau Laurier Adam room with ceremony at family church in Quyon

Luxury white summer wedding at Fairmont Chateau Laurier Adam room with ceremony at family church in Quyon

We could not have imagined a more perfect wedding day and no words can truly describe the happiness we felt.

Bride and groom in the Adam Room at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier - photo by Grey Loft Studio

We had a vision for our wedding and Erica made it happen, she is truly exceptional! We could not have imagined a more perfect wedding day and no words can truly describe the happiness we felt. She exceeded our expectations and working with her was one of the best decisions we made! Erica is thoughtful, kind, affable, professional, organized, reliable and efficient. She has her clients best interest at heart and our family & friends loved her.

I personally initially was very hesitant to hire a wedding planner since I’m quite organized and wanted to be very involved in the decision making/planning. However, my husband encouraged me because we are so busy. Am I ever happy I listened to him!! I can say that Erica will seamlessly adapt to your style and cater to your individual needs. She knew when to ask our input and she knew when to make some decisions without us. She also knew how to triage the urgency of various decisions to make. She had various tools and timelines to keep our planning on track through out the process. She has a lot of experience so she knows when things aren’t feasible and doesn’t hesitate to reach out to other vendors when needed. She also has great recommendations for vendors that suit your vision. She is very well connected and respected within the wedding industry and can get replies very quickly. I had a last minute hiccup on the day before my wedding and Erica managed to solve it without any issues. She has an excellent team on her side which also offered behind the scenes help during the planning process and wedding day.

This goes without saying that we 110% recommend Erica and her team! Our wedding day would not have been the same without her. With her on board you can rest assured that you will be well taken care of, you will have an amazing day and any crisis you have will be solved!

Sophie & Andre

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Shirley & Stewart

Shirley & Stewart

Shirley & Stewart

White and blush summer wedding at Fairmont Chateau Laurier ceremony in the Canadian room with reception in the Laurier Room

White and blush summer wedding at Fairmont Chateau Laurier ceremony in the Canadian room with reception in the Laurier Room

Erica was our Fairy Godmother and choosing to work with her was the best decision we made when planning our wedding. She became someone we could truly trust and rely on. I knew that whenever Erica stepped in, everything would be okay.

Bride and groom in the Laurier Room at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier - photo by Grey Loft Studio

Erica was our Fairy Godmother and choosing to work with her was the best decision we made when planning our wedding.

Right from the start I knew Erica was different from other planners. She spent an hour on the phone with me talking through my vision, dream wedding, priorities/ how we’d want to spend our budget, and every other detail. After our initial call, Erica went ahead and booked a series of venue tours of our top picks JUST IN CASE we’d say yes to working with her! She was so organized and proactive that it made me feel like I could really lean on her (especially important since my husband and I do not live in Ottawa/ know anything about weddings/ vendors).

Throughout the entire year and a half of working with Erica, not only did she allow us to actually enjoy our entire wedding planning process by taking on all the hours of planning and coordinating, but she did everything with our best interests in mind and had our backs throughout all the ups and downs. She became someone we could truly trust and rely on. I knew that whenever Erica stepped in, everything would be okay. To top it all off, she was so obviously amazing & on top of everything during our actual wedding weekend that so many of our friends and family even commented to us saying “WOW Erica is incredible!!”

All that being said, if you are on the fence about choosing Erica as your wedding planner, do yourself a favour AND SAY YES!! She is the best and I’m so sad we don’t get to spend more time with her now that our wedding has happened.

Shirley & Stewart

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

Venue Review Part 2: Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

Picture this: You’re standing in TwentyTwo, holding a glass of champagne surrounded by everyone you love in the world with panoramic views of the city skyline, the historic Parliament buildings, and the beautiful Gatineau mountains. The sun is setting, there is a golden glow over our beautiful city and you are just soaking in this moment of your wedding day.

Choosing the perfect wedding venue is not an easy decision, but with TwentyTwo at the Ottawa Westin, your dream wedding can be breathtaking!

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo - View of the City Skyline | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

As your downtown Ottawa wedding venue expert, I’m here to ensure you consider the best options Ottawa has to offer, so you can select the perfect venue for your wedding. Let me take you through the pros and cons of this fantastic Ottawa venue, starting with the reasons why I think it’s a great choice.

The pros

First, the location is unbeatable. TwentyTwo is situated at the top of the Ottawa Westin, resembling a glass cube with breathtaking views of downtown, the Gatineau mountains, Parliament, Chateau Laurier, and the city skyline. Witnessing the sunset over the city is always a treat for your guests. They rush to that side of the room to capture stunning selfies, as it’s truly a magnificent sight.

Another added bonus to surprise your guests with is if you’re fortunate to book a wedding date coinciding with fireworks. Its undoubtedly the best place in the city to see them.

Fireworks view from Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo - Union Eleven | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Although you are surrounded mostly by beautiful windows, the room also manages to feature a media wall, essential if you’re planning to put all of your favourite memories on display in a photo montage. Not all venues can accommodate this option which is important to know if you are considering adding this moment to your day.

Next is the food; it’s exceptional, and the presentation of dishes makes you feel as though you’re indulging in a work of art. The staff is remarkable, from pre-sales through to the banquet, they’re dedicated to ensuring your event is a success. The event manager you worked with post-booking will be present on your wedding day and then transitions to the banquet manager for the reception, providing consistent support.

A big advantage of booking TwentyTwo is that you have all the amenties of the Westin hotel at your fingertips, most notably the Rideau Suite which is included in the wedding package. Located just down the hall from TwentyTwo, it’s a very large condo-like suite with sweeping views of downtown Ottawa. It serves as your “honeymoon suite,” but it’s also perfect as a getting-ready space since it provides enough room for your hair and makeup team to set up while still leaving room for bridesmaids and Moms to comfortably relax, eat, and enjoy a mimosa.

My couples have enjoyed being able to sneak away to their suite to use the washroom, freshen up, change into dancing outfits, change shoes, etc. Then, at the end of your wedding night, your room is only a few steps away – No transportation needed! 

I highly encourage my couples to book and enjoy the Rideau Suite the night before as well so that you have early access on your wedding day. This is important for starting your hair and makeup preparation time and not having to wait for the room to be turned over from the previous night’s guests. There is enough room for everyone to put on their dresses and for your photographer to do your “getting-ready photos” as you put on your gown. On rainy days, we have even used the room to take photos.

Rideau Suite Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Another suggestion I make to my couples is to consider booking a similar space just one floor down called the Bonaventure suite. It’s a great place for the groom and groomsmen to get ready and do their photos. With it’s beautiful views of downtown Ottawa and a wrap-around terrace, it’s a perfect fit to host a rehearsal dinner or welcome drink the night before for close family and friends. You can bring in your own food, bar items, and there is plenty of room both inside or outside on the terrace.

The entire guest experience when all wedding events are hosted in the hotel is so wonderful. This is important to consider if you have a lot of out-of-town guests or even those who you know might enjoy a staycation. Friends and family meeting up meet in the lobby, eating at the restaurant, or going shopping in the attached Rideau Centre together simply adds to the wonderful wedding memories. Guests also appreciate the ease of accessing their rooms during the wedding to change shoes and freshen up. Those with small children book a babysitting service and can easily go and check in and return to the party!

Now let’s address some considerations before booking this space.

The cons

The primary complaint I hear when touring this space is regarding the carpeting in the ceremony and cocktail areas. The ceremony space is located on the 4th floor in one of the Governor-General spaces, and the carpet is in dire need of replacement. Though in most hotels, event space carpeting is typically heavily patterned. I’ve always wished they would install light wood flooring instead of hotel carpets!

Governor General ceremony space Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

After your ceremony, guests generally move to a space next door for the cocktail hour before transitioning upstairs to TwentyTwo for the reception. Hosting both the cocktail and reception in TwentyTwo can be tight unless your guest count is on the smaller end (under 100).

As the name suggests, TwentyTwo is on the 22nd floor, and the stunning view comes with complexities around moving items and people up and down in elevators. I highly recommend hiring a Planner if you’re considering this venue, especially one who is familiar with events in their spaces.

With everyone moving between ceremony, cocktail, and reception on multiple levels of the hotel, as well and the couple needing to slip in and out for things like photos, having a Planner to facilitate these transitions will be key to your day running smoothly. 

Your Planner will need to be familiar with the hotel to build a proper timeline and keep everything on track throughout the day. This includes coordination with vendors around the use of the loading dock and single elevator for movement of rentals and equipment. Some vendors charge an additional fee due to the extra time required to load in and out.

The final and possibly biggest drawback of this space is the noise restriction for music; they have a decibel level you need to stay under, and the music must stop at midnight due to the impact on hotel guests.

If you’re considering a band, this is not the venue for you. A great alternative after midnight would be to switch to silent beats, an offering some of our DJ partners provide, where guests can still dance with music coming through high-quality earphones.

Noise complaints have been heard all the way from the 6th floor, emphasizing the importance of keeping both hotel guests and wedding attendees happy.

Recap

R  Unparalleled views of Ottawa
R  Exceptional food
R  Dedicated staff
R  Rideau Suite
R  Westin hotel amenities
Q  Lacklustre ceremony space
Q  22nd floor logistical challenges
Q  Noise restrictions

As a seasoned Planner familiar with the intricacies of this venue, let me assist you in navigating these challenges and ensuring a seamless and unforgettable wedding day experience for you and your guests.

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Up Next!

Next up on the blog, featuring Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier!

POST INFO AND CREDITS

If you liked this post …

Be sure to read my other posts in this serious on our fabulous Ottawa wedding venues!

National Gallery of Canada – Ottawa’s most prestigious wedding venue

The National Gallery is for couples who really want to WOW their guests with a luxury wedding venue. Housing Canada’s most treasured works of art, this is a true guest experience that will not be easily forgotten. Let me take you through everything you need to know about hosting your wedding here.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier – Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue

Fairmont Chateau Laurier is Ottawa’s most iconic downtown wedding venue. It’s our castle in the city with the amenities of a hotel. A true luxury option to host your wedding day and wow your guests. Let me take you through everything you should consider before saying “yes” to this Ottawa treasure.

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

An elegant glass box perched on the top of the Ottawa Westin, TwentyTwo offers the best views of our Nation’s Capital skyline. With the convenience of an upscale hotel, floor to ceiling windows, excellent service and food there are many pros, but as always there are things to consider.

National Arts Centre (NAC) – A Downtown Ottawa Wedding Gem

The NAC is located right in the heart of downtown Ottawa. It’s proximity to Parliament Hill, the canal, and our beautiful hotels makes it a true downtown wedding venue. With light-filled ceremony and reception areas, its one of the prettiest, neutral spaces in the city but there are a few things to be aware of if you are considering this wedding venue.

Ultimate Pricing Comparison of the Top 5 Downtown Ottawa Wedding Venues

The biggest question when choosing your venue is usually around pricing. Since all venues have different packages and line items, it’s not easy to make a true comparison. Let’s get started with our Top 5 downtown Ottawa venue price comparison!

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

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