Short answer
Yes, if the person receiving it is eligible, for example a poor bride or groom, or a poor parent paying for a daughter's wedding. Once they own it they may spend it on the mahr, furniture or basic wedding costs. It cannot go to your own children, and it is best aimed at real needs, not lavish celebrations.
Zakat given to an eligible person is valid, and the recipient may spend it on any lawful need, marriage included. The giver should aim it at genuine need: the mahr, household basics and a modest wedding.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Marriage protects a person's faith and chastity, and Islam encourages helping people to marry. The Prophet ﷺ said Allah has taken on Himself to help three people, among them the one who marries seeking to keep chaste. The Quran also tells the community to marry off the single among them, and that if they are poor Allah will enrich them (24:32).
Zakat can help when the person receiving it is eligible:
- A poor groom, towards the mahr, rent and basic setting up of a home.
- A poor bride, given money or household items that become her own property.
- A poor father or mother who must cover a daughter's wedding costs.
- Someone already in debt from wedding costs, under the share for debtors.
Some limits apply:
- Not to your own children or grandchildren, or your parents (see zakat to family). Brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews may receive it if eligible.
- Not to a family that owns the nisab beyond its needs, however expensive the wedding.
- Goods count at their market value and must be handed over as the bride's or groom's own (see zakat in kind).
Once the zakat is theirs, it is valid whatever they spend it on. Even so, give it with the intention of meeting real needs. Costly customs such as a large dowry (jahez) from the bride's family are not required by the Sharia, and zakat should not be used to feed them. The four schools agree on this outline. Check eligibility with the who can receive zakat checker.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Noor 24:32
وَأَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْأَيَٰمَىٰ مِنكُمْ وَٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَآئِكُمْ ۚ إِن يَكُونُوا۟ فُقَرَآءَ يُغْنِهِمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ ﴿٣٢﴾
And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
The community is told to help the unmarried marry, even when they are poor.
Quran, Surah At-Tawba 9:60
۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ ﴿٦٠﴾
Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.
A poor person or debtor who wants to marry is eligible.
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1655
Grading to be checked... والمكاتب الذي يريد الأداء والناكح الذي يريد العفاف ...
"Three people Allah has taken on Himself to help: one who strives in His cause, the slave who wants to buy his freedom, and the one who marries wanting to stay chaste."
Helping someone marry is helping a person Allah promises to help.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar, Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on the recipients (bab al-masrif). Once an eligible person owns the zakat, he may spend it as he wishes.
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on those to whom zakat may be given. Zakat cannot be given to one's parents, children or spouse.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.