#817: Do we need to host a Sheva Brachos every day?
Sheva brachos (lit., seven benedictions) are recited under the chuppah (marriage canopy) for the new couple, bestowing upon them blessings for a happy and fruitful life, as well as prayers for the Final Redemption. It is a time-honored custom that the week following the wedding is one of joyous celebration, when feasts honoring the chassan (groom) and kallah (bride) conclude with a repetition of the sheva brachos that were recited under the chuppah. However, contrary to common belief and practice, there is no requirement for these meals to be held for seven consecutive days (or nights). Historically, these celebrations were mostly circumstantial, when the halachic requirements for hosting them presented themselves: The new chassan and kallah were in the presence of a minyan (prayer quorum [of a minimum ten men]), along with a panim chadashos (lit., a new face, i.e. at least one of the minyan had not attended the wedding) and a meal was hosted in honor of the newly wedded couple.*
The common custom in prewar Europe was to celebrate Sheva Brachos feasts on the night of the wedding as part of the seudas mitzvah (meal celebrating a mitzvah occasion) and on the Shabbos following the wedding (often, these two coincided; it was a common—and economical—practice to plan weddings for Friday afternoons, and the seudas mitzvah was the Friday night Shabbos meal). Sometimes additional Sheva Brachos were hosted on the second and last day of the post-wedding week. Poskim of that time explain that we are somewhat guarded in the number of celebrations, since during galus (exile) “Arvah kol simchah,” (every [occasion of] joy is darkened), as Yeshayah Hanavi ( the prophet) states—and it would be inappropriate to celebrate so excessively.
There are halachic authorities, however, who say that that it is praiseworthy to add in Sheva Brachos feasts, some who even advocate celebrating twice each day when money and effort are no object. Couples who marry in current times—and their families—should be aware that the community norm of at least seven Sheva Brachos meals are not mandated by halachah, and hosting, planning and paying for daily or nightly seudos should not cause undue stress or financial pressure.
* For details, see Halachah # 376 and 459.