Wedding Fair or Wedding Fayre: Which is it?




Fair or fayre? We got busted by a simple Google search. 

And we owe you an apology.

After writing hundreds of posts promoting wedding open days, showcases and exhibitions, we assumed that we had wedding terminology down-pat.

It turns out that we didn’t.

All’s Fair or Fayre in Love (and Wedding Planning)

“an old-fashioned spelling of fair, used to talk about a traditional public event where goods are bought and sold and where there is entertainment: a country fayre”
Uh-oh.

We went back through some of our posts to double check what we've been using and...


And these weren't the only ones. 

In fact, every single wedding event we’ve advertised (aside from those specifically marketed as open days) has been described as a fayre.

Okay, we thought, let’s get a second opinion.  

The Oxford English Dictionary said:

Fare is a “pseudo-archaic spelling of fair and fare”

Archaic as in old-fashioned.

Oh dear.

Writing in The Telegraph, Oliver Pritchett agrees that fayre is archaic. 

 He says that if we see it advertised perhaps we should assume that the event has a ye olde world theme to it.

 Jousters at your wedding showcase, anyone?  

 How about jesters and mead?

 Not a problem for couples who genuinely want to embrace the Middle-Ages.  Although, imagine those people attending a wedding fayre and finding it more Moet and Chandon than motte and bailey. 




Further Googling led us to Mumsnet of all places where the issue extends beyond the wedding industry.

Is it Christmas Fair or Fayre? Wrote one mum, eager to prove to the PTA chair that it was, in fact, the former.

And if you’re interested in why there are two spellings, then there’s a good explanation from The Independent.

 Fayre does look fancier, doesn't it? Maybe it’s just a marketing ploy, and the correct English be damned.

 We're certainly not in the minority of those in the industry still using it. 

The verdict?


It's wedding FAIR isn't it? And that's what we'll be using from here on out. 

 There is, however, one exception.  

 If you're having a wedding open day and it's entirely about food, then fayre is correct because fayre actually refers to a range of food and drink. 

We'd love to know which term you use and why, and have we tempted you to change from one to the other?

 Let us know @pinkweddingdays on Twitter or Facebook

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