Is it Permitted for an Engaged Couple to Meet a Week Before the Wedding?

Greetings,

Among Ashkenazim, the custom is that the bride and groom do not see each other a week before the wedding (see the book "Emet L'Yaakov" Even HaEzer, Section 66, Note 32, in the name of Rabbi Yisrael Kaminetsky, zt"l, who states it is proper for the bride and groom not to see each other seven days prior to the wedding. Also, see the book "Asheri HaIsh" part Even HaEzer, chapter 1, section 32, in the name of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt"l, who states that it is customary not to meet a week before the wedding. However, regarding a second marriage, one can be lenient. And one who is stringent will be blessed. Additionally, see there section 33 that if necessary, it is permitted to speak on the phone during the week before the wedding).

Regarding the Sephardic custom, see the book "Yalkut Yosef" Celebrations, part 1 (chapter 6, section 1, and note there) that among Sephardim, there was no custom to refrain from meeting a week before the wedding. However, recently this custom has also been accepted among Sephardim, especially among Torah observant individuals. It is worthy to bless this, as it is a proper and appropriate custom to minimize meetings between the bride and groom before the wedding as much as possible.

Best regards,

Hillel Meirs