Full timeline

Every step of March 9 in order, from hair and makeup to pack-down. Pick your role to see only your steps.

Garden91, Taipei is ours from 12:00 to 10:00 PM. On the day, please message the day-of coordinator (hired, TBC) rather than us. Wedding party and family: please message Auntie Corry.

Show steps for

LabelsHard stopCheckpointKey momentTBC

Getting Ready 7:00 AM – 1:40 PM

The bride and bridesmaids get ready at their hotel and the groom and groomsmen at theirs, then everyone meets at the venue.

Where
Bride and bridesmaids: Grand View Resort Beitou, then the bridal suite (2nd floor) at Garden91 from 1:25 PM. Groom and groomsmen: the Renaissance in Shilin, then the 1st floor at Garden91 (his own room or a quiet corner, TBC).
Runs alongside
Setup, from 12:00 PM. Then First Look & Photos at 1:40 PM

Rain decision

Hard stop

The day-of coordinator decides whether we use the rain plan.

  • Check with the venue
  • Make the call
  • Tell everyone by 9:15 AM
When
9:00 – 9:15 AM
Where
By phone or LINE
Who
Day-of coordinatorVenue
Heads-up
Everyone

Ready together

The bride and the 3 bridesmaids get ready in the room they share at the Grand View the night before. The groom and the groomsmen get ready separately at the Renaissance, and both sets of parents at their own homes or hotels.

  • Bridal secretary set up in the room by 10:30 AM
  • Bridesmaids do their own hair and makeup
  • Lunch in the room (what: TBC)
  • Bridal secretary brings the rented dress from the studio (TBC)
When
10:15 – 10:30 AM
Where
Grand View, the bride's room
Who
BrideBridesmaidsBridal secretary
Same time

Hair and makeup

One bridal secretary from 伊頓婚紗攝影工作室-台北士林店 does the bride's hair and makeup in her room at the Grand View, about 2 hours.

  • Bride's hair done
  • Bride's makeup done
  • Bridesmaids get ready in the same room
When
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Where
Grand View, the bride's room
Who
Bridal secretaryBride

Load the second car

The groomsmen pack everything for the venue at the Renaissance.

  • All the boxes into the second car
  • Suits into the second car
  • Drinks into the van
  • Tick off every box on the box list
  • Check the boxes again when unloading at the venue
When
10:30 – 11:15 AM
Who
GroomsmenFamily crew

Second car leaves

The groomsmen, the family crew, and the boxes go from the Renaissance to the venue. About 20 minutes by car with traffic; 45 minutes planned. The bride's taxis leave the Grand View at 12:50 PM.

  • Leave the Renaissance
  • Meet Auntie Corry at the venue
When
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Who
GroomsmenFamily crew

Venue opens

Hard stop

Garden91 opens to us.

  • Nobody enters before 12:00 PM
Where
Garden91
Who
Everyone

Personal flowers

The personal flowers arrive at the venue. The day-of coordinator takes delivery, since the bride and bridesmaids are still at the Grand View.

  • The bride's bouquet and the 3 bridesmaids' bouquets into water in the bridal suite (2nd floor)
  • Boutonnieres to the groom's room (1st floor)
  • Coordinator keeps the moms' corsages, the dads' boutonnieres, and the flower boy's boutonniere
Where
Bridal suite (2nd floor) and groom's room (1st floor)
Who
Florals & DecorDay-of coordinator
Same time

Detail shots

The photographer arrives at the Grand View and shoots the details while the bride's makeup is finished. One photographer, 12:15 – 8:15 PM (8 hours). The bouquet is at the venue, so it's shot there.

  • Rings
  • Invitation suite
  • Dress
  • Shoes
  • Jewellery
When
12:15 – 12:35 PM
Where
Grand View, the bride's room
Who
Photography

Dresses on

The bridesmaids change in the room while the photographer does the detail shots. There's no time at the venue: from 1:25 PM they're helping the bride into her dress.

  • Bridesmaids in their dresses before the getting ready photos at 12:35 PM
When
12:15 – 12:35 PM
Where
Grand View, the bride's room
Who
Bridesmaids

Groom arrives

The groom arrives at the venue and has lunch with the groomsmen.

  • Lunch in the crew room
  • Ready for his makeup at 1:30 PM, once the bridal secretary arrives with the bride
Where
Groom's room, 1st floor
Who
Groom

Final touches

Getting ready photos at the Grand View.

  • Final touches with the bridal secretary
  • Shots with the bridesmaids
When
12:35 – 12:50 PM
Where
Grand View, the bride's room
Who
PhotographyBrideBridesmaids

Bride's taxis

The bride and the bridesmaids go to the venue in two taxis, and the photographer follows. About 30 minutes, then 5 minutes of buffer.

  • Bride's car: the bride, the bridal secretary, and the dress
  • Second car: the bridesmaids and the details
When
12:50 – 1:25 PM
Who
BrideBridesmaidsBridal secretaryPhotography

Bride arrives

The bride, the bridesmaids, and the bridal secretary arrive at the venue. The bridal secretary stays with the bride for touch-ups all day, through the change into the party look.

  • Bride to the bridal suite
  • Photographer shoots the bouquets there
  • Bridesmaids' bouquets stay in water until the photos at 1:50 PM
  • Bridal secretary goes down to the groom's room on the 1st floor
Where
Bridal suite, 2nd floor
Who
BrideBridesmaidsBridal secretaryPhotography

Groom's makeup

The bridal secretary comes down to the groom's room on the 1st floor.

  • Groom's makeup done
  • Groom stays off the 2nd floor until the first look
When
1:30 – 1:50 PM
Where
Groom's room, 1st floor
Who
GroomBridal secretary

Bride gets dressed

The bridesmaids help the bride into her dress. There's one photographer, so they stay with the bride.

  • Bride in her dress
  • Photographer with the bride
When
1:35 – 1:50 PM
Where
Bridal suite, 2nd floor
Who
BrideBridesmaidsPhotography
Same time

Bridal photos

Photos of the bride, with all 4 bouquets.

  • The bride with the bridesmaids
  • The bride on her own
When
1:50 – 2:05 PM
Where
Bridal suite and the 2nd floor (spot TBC)
Who
PhotographyBrideBridesmaids

Groom gets dressed

The groom gets dressed on the 1st floor, then goes straight out to the boardwalk.

  • Boutonniere on
  • On the boardwalk by 2:05 PM, before the bride comes down at 2:10 PM
When
1:50 – 2:05 PM
Where
Groom's room, 1st floor
Who
Groom

Final touch-up

The bride's last check before the first look.

  • Last check with the bridal secretary
  • Bride walks to the boardwalk at 2:10 PM
When
2:05 – 2:10 PM
Where
Bridal suite, 2nd floor
Who
Bridal secretaryBride

Setup 12:00 – 3:30 PM

The setup crew and our vendors get the whole venue ready, while the couple gets ready.

Where
The whole venue: entrance, balcony, garden, 3rd floor, and 1st floor
Done by
3:10 PM, with everything out of sight
Runs alongside
Getting Ready, then First Look & Photos
Same time

Trellis florals start

Our florals and decor team adds florals to the trellis on the balcony.

  • Trellis florals done by 3:00 PM
When
12:00 – 3:00 PM
Where
Balcony
Who
Florals & Decor

Ladder jobs

Jobs that need a ladder go first, while the floors are clear.

  • Lanterns on the 1st floor
  • Disco ball on the 1st floor
  • Lighting on the 1st floor
  • Lighting on the 3rd floor
Where
1st floor, then 3rd floor
Who
Florals & Decor

Furniture set

The furniture goes in place, done by 1:30 PM.

  • Ceremony chairs
  • Reception tables
  • Cocktail tables and a few chairs in the garden
  • Space for the drinks cart
Where
Balcony, 3rd floor, garden, and 1st-floor terrace
Who
Venue

Unload and rope off

Everything comes off at the entrance, and the walkway down to the lower farm is closed off.

  • Unload at the entrance
  • Rope off the lower-farm walkway
Where
Entrance and lower-farm walkway
Who
Wedding party

Entrance setup

Our florals and decor team sets up the entrance guests walk through.

  • Giant flowers along the arrival walkway
  • Welcome table at the entrance
When
12:15 – 1:30 PM
Where
Arrival walkway and entrance
Who
Florals & Decor
Same time

Catering arrives

Catering sets up for the day.

  • Kitchen set up
  • Drinks cart on the terrace outside the 1st floor
  • Family crew hands over the drinks we supply
  • Caterer chills them in the 1st-floor kitchen
Where
1st-floor kitchen and terrace
Who
Catering & Bar

Photo bingo spot

A game or photo spot for photo bingo, on the boardwalk (which: TBC). Our florals and decor team sets up the spot; the groomsmen put out the cards.

  • Spot set up on the boardwalk
  • Photo bingo cards on the cocktail tables
  • Photo bingo cards at the drinks cart
  • Off the boardwalk by 1:40 PM for the first look
When
1:00 – 1:40 PM (start time TBC)
Who
Florals & DecorGroomsmen
Same time

Garden setup

The garden gets dressed for cocktail hour. It's out of sight of the boardwalk, so this carries on during the first look. Couple photos may use the garden from 2:00 PM (spots TBC).

  • Giant flowers in the garden
  • Paper lanterns over the lawn
  • String lights over the lawn
When
1:30 – 2:15 PM
Where
Garden
Who
Florals & Decor

Entrance done

Checkpoint

The entrance is ready for guests.

  • Giant flowers
  • Welcome table
  • TV signs
Where
Entrance
Who
Florals & DecorGroomsmenFamily crew

DJ arrives

The DJ arrives at Garden91 and sets up.

  • Ceremony speakers on the balcony
  • 3rd-floor setup
  • 1st-floor setup
Where
Garden91
Who
DJ

Sound check

The DJ checks all three setups, done before 3:10 PM.

  • Ceremony speakers and microphone first
  • 3rd-floor setup
  • 1st-floor setup
When
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Where
Balcony, then the 3rd and 1st floors
Who
DJ

Place settings

The 3rd-floor tables get set for dinner.

  • Plates and glasses
  • A place card on each glass
When
2:30 – 3:00 PM
Where
3rd floor
Who
Catering & BarFlorals & Decor

Decor done

Checkpoint

The ceremony, the reception, and the dance floor are all dressed.

  • Trellis finished
  • Petals down the aisle
  • Candles placed, but not lit
Where
Balcony, 3rd floor, and 1st floor
Who
Florals & Decor

Out of sight

Hard stop

Nothing from setup is left where guests can see it.

  • Ladders away
  • Boxes away
  • Tools away
  • Vans out of guest areas
Where
All guest areas
Who
Everyone

Ushers and music

Checkpoint

Everything is ready for guests to arrive.

  • Ushers at their posts
  • Music ready
Where
Entrance and balcony
Who
UshersDJ

First Look & Photos 1:40 – 3:55 PM

We see each other for the first time on the boardwalk, then photos with the bride's parents and the wedding party before the ceremony.

Where
The boardwalk, the garden, and the balcony at Garden91
Guests
Wedding party and parents only
Runs alongside
Setup, until 3:30 PM, then Welcome

To the boardwalk

Ashley, the bridesmaid lead, walks the bride down the path to the farm and the boardwalk.

  • Bride in flat shoes
  • Ashley carries her heels
Where
Path to the boardwalk
Who
BrideAshley

First look

Key moment

We see each other for the first time, on the boardwalk.

  • Crews stay off the path to the boardwalk, 2:05 – 2:30 PM
When
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Who
CouplePhotography
Heads-up
All crews: stay off the path, 2:05 – 2:30 PM

Couple photos

Photos of the two of us, straight after the first look.

  • Photos on the boardwalk
  • Photos in the garden
When
2:30 – 3:00 PM
Where
Boardwalk and garden (spots TBC)
Who
CouplePhotography

Bride's parents

The bride's mom and dad arrive together from their own home or hotel.

  • Coordinator pins on her corsage and his boutonniere
  • Coordinator takes them to the garden for the first look, out of sight of the couple photos
Where
Garden91
Who
ParentsDay-of coordinator
Same time

Parents' first look

Key moment

The bride's mom and dad see her in her dress for the first time.

  • A few photos of the three of them
When
3:00 – 3:15 PM
Where
Garden (spot TBC)
Who
BrideParentsPhotography

Groom's parents

The groom's parents arrive from their own home or hotel.

  • Coordinator pins on the groom's mom's corsage
  • Coordinator pins on his dad's boutonniere
  • The flower boy's boutonniere when he arrives
Where
Garden91
Who
ParentsDay-of coordinator
Same time

Group photos

Photos of the wedding party.

  • Shots including both sets of parents
  • One shot with everyone reading the wedding party edition of the newspaper
When
3:15 – 3:45 PM
Where
Balcony, under the trellis (TBC)
Who
PhotographyCoupleWedding party

Officiant arrives

TBC

A quick briefing with the day-of coordinator and the DJ. Officiant TBC.

  • Order of the ceremony
  • Microphone
  • Music cues
Where
Balcony
Who
Day-of coordinatorDJ

Prep for ceremony

The processional gets ready by the balcony entrance, out of guests' sight (spot TBC).

  • Final touch-ups, bouquets in hand
  • Everyone in the processional lines up
  • 3:55 PM: the groom and the officiant take their places at the front
  • The 3 bridesmaids walk in, one at a time
  • The 3 groomsmen walk in, one at a time
  • The flower boy (our nephew) walks in with the bride's mom
  • Everyone takes their reserved seats at the front
  • The music changes and guests stand
  • The bride walks in with her dad; at the front he hands her to the groom and sits with the bride's mom
When
3:45 – 4:00 PM
Where
Bridal suite and groom's room, then the balcony entrance (spot TBC)
Who
CoupleWedding partyBridal secretary

Welcome 3:30 – 3:50 PM

Guests arrive, walk in past the giant flowers, and mingle at the entrance before going up to the balcony.

Where
Arrival walkway and entrance
Guests
About 50
Rain plan
Coming soon

Guests arriving

Guests mingle at the welcome area by the entrance.

  • One usher at the entrance
  • Guests stay at the welcome area until 3:50 PM
Where
Entrance
Who
GuestsUshers

Ceremony 3:50 – 4:30 PM

Guests sit on the balcony and we say our vows under the trellis.

Where
Balcony, under the trellis
Guests
About 50
Rain plan
Moves indoors to the second-floor area by the floor-to-ceiling windows

Guests seated

Guests go up to the balcony and seat themselves.

  • Front rows reserved for the wedding party, parents, and grandfathers
  • Older guests use the elevator
Where
Entrance → balcony
Who
GuestsUshers

Ceremony

Key moment

The ceremony, on the balcony under the trellis.

  • During the vows, the bride hands her bouquet to Ashley (bridesmaid lead) in the front row
  • Malcom (best man) brings up the rings
When
4:00 – 4:25 PM
Where
Balcony, under the trellis
Who
CoupleWedding partyGuestsPhotographyDJ
Same time

Recessional

Everyone walks back out in order, then guests go down to the garden.

  • The couple
  • Ashley and Malcom (bridesmaid lead and best man)
  • The bridesmaids and groomsmen
  • The parents
  • Guests down to the garden
Where
Balcony → garden
Who
CoupleGuestsUshersDJ

Bouquets in water

The bridesmaids' bouquets go back into water in the bridal suite.

  • Bridesmaids hand their bouquets to the family crew
  • Family crew puts them in water in the bridal suite
  • The bride keeps hers for family and sunset photos
Where
Bridal suite, 2nd floor
Who
BridesmaidsFamily crew

Cocktail Hour 4:30 – 5:30 PM

Guests come down to the garden for drinks and photo bingo, with the boardwalk to explore.

Where
Garden and boardwalk
Guests
About 50
Rain plan
Coming soon

Bubble tea

TBC

One delivery from a local tea shop (which shop: TBC). The pearls are best until about 6:15 PM; the jellies last all night.

  • Brown sugar milk tea in bulk
  • Three toppings: brown sugar pearls, coconut jelly, and grass jelly
  • Cups, lids, and wide straws
  • Milk tea and jellies chilled in the 1st-floor kitchen
  • Pearls kept at room temperature, since they go hard in the fridge
Where
Drinks cart, 1st-floor terrace
Who
Catering & Bar
Same time

Cocktail hour

Guests have drinks in the garden and on the boardwalk.

  • Drinks from the drinks cart
  • Photo bingo in the garden and on the boardwalk
When
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Where
Garden and boardwalk
Who
GuestsCatering & BarCouple

Family photos

Family photos, with the grandfathers first so they can rest.

  • Grandfathers first, seated
  • Then anyone leaving after cocktail hour
  • One shot with everyone reading the wedding newspaper
Where
Balcony, under the trellis
Who
PhotographyCoupleWedding party

Clear the balcony

The ceremony comes down once photos finish. The venue's own orchids stay.

  • Chairs
  • Ceremony speakers
  • Trellis additions
Where
Balcony
Who
Florals & DecorDJVenue
Same time

Sunset photos

Couple photos in the golden light before sunset.

  • Goodbye photos with the grandfathers at the end, if they're leaving
Where
Garden and boardwalk (spot TBC)
Who
PhotographyCouple

Candles lit

Our florals and decor team lights the candles on the 3rd floor before guests come up.

  • All candles lit
Where
3rd floor
Who
Florals & Decor
Same time

Guests upstairs

Guests go up to the 3rd floor for dinner.

  • Older guests use the elevator
Where
Garden → 3rd floor
Who
GuestsUshers

Drinks at the tables

There's no bar on the 3rd floor, so the caterer puts drinks on each table. The bar reopens in the 1st-floor kitchen for the party.

  • Red wine, Taiwan Beer, Sprite (for red wine with Sprite), oolong, and water on each table
  • Pour as guests sit down
  • Kaoliang for anyone who asks
Where
3rd floor
Who
Catering & Bar

Goodbye photos

TBC

A few photos of the grandfathers with the couple, about 5 minutes.

  • If they leave after cocktail hour: at the end of the sunset photos, before they go
  • If they stay for dinner: at 6:50 PM, after the cake cutting
Where
Garden (or the 3rd floor at 6:50 PM)
Who
CouplePhotographyDay-of coordinator

Bouquet upstairs

The bride gives her bouquet to her mom during the welcome speech.

  • Take the bride's bouquet from her after sunset photos and bring it to the 3rd floor
Where
Garden → 3rd floor
Who
Family crew
Same time

Pack the drinks cart

The drinks cart is for cocktail hour only. The giant flowers in the garden stay out until the end of the night.

  • Drinks cart packed by 5:45 PM
When
5:30 – 5:45 PM
Where
1st-floor terrace
Who
Catering & Bar

Clear the boardwalk

Our florals and decor team brings the photo bingo spot in before dark.

  • Photo bingo spot in from the boardwalk
Who
Florals & Decor

Reception 5:30 – 7:00 PM

Dinner at long tables on the 3rd floor, with toasts and a visit to every table.

Where
3rd floor
Guests
About 40

Entrances

Key moment

Reception entrances on the 3rd floor.

  • Guests seated
  • The couple enters
  • Whether the wedding party enters first: TBC
Where
3rd floor
Who
CoupleGuestsDJ

Welcome speech

By the two of us, to thank everyone and our parents.

  • DJ has the microphone ready
  • The bride gives her bouquet to her mom as a thank you
  • We lead a toast (乾杯) with whatever's in everyone's glass
Where
3rd floor
Who
CoupleParentsGuestsCatering & BarDJ

Dinner served

Dinner on the 3rd floor.

  • The couple's plates out first, so we eat before the look change at 6:25 PM
Where
3rd floor
Who
Catering & BarGuests

Vendor meals

TBC

Our vendors eat while guests eat.

  • Photographer
  • DJ
  • Bridal secretary
  • Day-of coordinator
  • How many meals and where they eat: TBC with the caterer
Where
3rd floor or crew room (TBC)
Who
Catering & BarPhotographyDJBridal secretaryDay-of coordinator

Table toasts (敬酒)

Once we've eaten, we go round every table to toast and thank guests, about 2 minutes a table.

  • Every table visited
  • Photographer follows us
When
6:05 – 6:25 PM
Where
3rd floor
Who
CouplePhotographyGuests

Party look

The bride changes into her second of 2 looks.

  • Ready for the cake cutting at 6:45 PM
When
6:25 – 6:45 PM
Where
Bridal suite, 2nd floor
Who
BrideBridal secretary

Cake cutting

Key moment

The caterer provides the cake.

  • Knife ready
  • Plates ready
  • Cut and plated right after
Where
3rd floor
Who
CoupleCatering & BarDJ
Same time

Guests downstairs

Guests go down to the 1st floor for the party.

  • Older guests use the elevator
  • Guests take a centerpiece home with them
  • Ushers line guests up on the terrace for the sparkler entrance
Where
3rd floor → 1st floor
Who
GuestsUshers

Bar opens

The bar for the party, in the 1st-floor kitchen.

  • Open by 7:00 PM
  • Bubble tea with the coconut jelly and grass jelly (the pearls are past their best by now)
Where
1st-floor kitchen
Who
Catering & Bar

Party 7:00 – 9:00 PM

We walk in through sparklers to our first dance, then dancing and the bar on the 1st floor until the send-off.

Where
1st floor
Guests
About 30
Same time

Sparkler entrance

Key moment

We walk into the party through two lines of sparklers, straight onto the dance floor for our first dance. Guests are already moving down from dinner, so nothing stops the dancing.

  • 6:55 PM: ushers line guests up in two lines from the terrace to the door as they come down
  • Sparklers if the venue allows them (LED wands if not)
  • We walk in through them, with the city lights behind
  • A kiss at the door
  • Guests follow us in to the dance floor
When
7:00 – 7:10 PM
Where
1st-floor terrace, in to the dance floor (if it rains: inside, from the door to the dance floor)
Who
CoupleGuestsPhotographyDJUshers

Clear the 3rd floor

The 3rd floor comes down once guests are downstairs. The DJ's speaker stays until 9:00 PM.

  • Tablescape
  • Candles
  • Tables
  • Anything of ours into one box for the family crew
Where
3rd floor
Who
Florals & DecorCatering & BarVenue

Vendor payments

Auntie Corry hands each vendor their final payment envelope as they finish.

  • Bridal secretary after the party look (about 7:00 PM)
  • Photography at 8:45 PM
  • The DJ after pack-down
  • The caterer after pack-down
  • The florals and decor team after pack-down
When
7:00 – 9:40 PM
Where
Wherever each vendor finishes
Who
Auntie Corry

First dance

Key moment

Our first dance, on the 1st floor, right after the sparkler entrance.

  • DJ cues our song (TBC)
Where
1st floor
Who
CoupleDJ

Parents' dances

Key moment

The father-daughter and mother-son dances happen at the same time.

  • Father-daughter dance
  • Mother-son dance
Where
1st floor
Who
CoupleParentsDJ

Dance floor opens

The DJ opens the dance floor to everyone.

  • Guests onto the dance floor
When
7:15 – 9:00 PM
Where
1st floor
Who
GuestsDJ

Late-night snacks

Snacks for the guests still at the party, about 30 people.

  • Snack table out on the 1st floor
Where
1st floor
Who
Catering & BarGuests

Send-off

TBC

The real end of the night. We may move to a second location afterwards (TBC).

  • Camcorder films the real ending
  • A taxi coupon for every guest
  • Ushers help call taxis from 8:30 PM
Where
1st floor, out to the entrance (TBC)
Who
CoupleGuests

Pack-down 9:00 – 10:00 PM

Everything is packed up and out before the venue closes.

Where
The whole venue
Done by
10:00 PM, when the venue closes
Same time

Clear the 1st floor

The party comes down.

  • Lanterns
  • Disco ball
  • DJ setup
  • Snack table
  • The bar
  • The DJ packs the 3rd-floor speaker too
Where
1st floor
Who
Florals & DecorDJCatering & Bar

Bride's things

The bride's things go back to the hotel with Ashley, the bridesmaid lead (which hotel and ride: TBC).

  • Dress
  • Shoes
  • Ring boxes
  • Bride bag
  • Camcorder kit at 9:15 PM
  • Rented dress back to the studio the next day
Where
Bridal suite → hotel
Who
Ashley

Clear the walkway

The entrance and the garden come down once the last guests have walked out.

  • Giant flowers
  • Welcome table
  • Garden lanterns
Where
Arrival walkway, entrance, and garden
Who
Florals & Decor

All vehicles loaded

Checkpoint

Everything of ours is packed into the vehicles.

  • Every box ticked off on the box list
Who
Everyone

Final walk-through

The day-of coordinator walks the whole venue with the venue coordinator.

  • Nothing of ours left behind
Where
The whole venue
Who
Day-of coordinatorVenue

Venue closes

Hard stop

Garden91 closes.

  • Everyone out
Where
Garden91
Who
Everyone
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