Is it permissible to help a friend who is about to get married with Zakat money if he does not possess enough for the expenses of marriage?

It is permissible to give zakat to someone who wishes to marry but cannot afford the expenses, because this falls under the zakat categories of the poor and the needy. Scholars have issued fatwas allowing this, such as Ibn 'Uthaymeen, Ibn Baz, and the Permanent Committee.