Kaipidutham– This is an initial agreement and engagement in which are involved not only the spouses, but also their parental relatives. Betrothal itself is called Kaipidutham which is indicative of the clasping of hands by the paternal uncles of both the fiancé and of the fiancée in the presence of the priest celebrant in the church. The idea is that paternal uncles take up the responsibility to arrange for the marriage according to the agreement made at that time. It is to respect the responsible elders and to stress the idea of the entering into the family relationship. It means that not just the father but also all the close relatives of the couple are earnestly and whole heatedly involved in the new relationship.

Mylanchi Ideel - On the eve of the marriage there is a ceremony at the home of the bride in which the bride’s palm of the hand, feet and the nails are smeared with a special yellow ointment called Mailanchi. The ointment is made up of the leaves of henna plant. The Knanaya bride comes to the Pandal accompanied by her elder sister and she is seated in front of her grandmother, who smears mailanchi on her palms and feet. The main purpose of this function is to beautify the girl, the song which accompanies the ceremony gives, a biblical meaning to it. This signifies since Eve plucked the forbidden fruit with her hands, the palms are smeared. With her legs she approached the forbidden fruit to eat it, her feet are smeared. This ceremony of purification of palms and feet reminds us the original sin committed by the first couples, Adam and Eve.

Chantham Charthal – On the eve of the marriage, the groom’s face is ceremoniously shaved by the barber in the pandal in the presence of the assembled. It is called Chantham Charthal which means beautifying. The barber asks formal permission from the assembly reminding them of their protective rights over seventeen castes, a privilege granted by King Cheraman Perumal. “I ask the gentlemen here who are protectors of 17 castes: May I shave the bridegroom? He has to ask this three times. After getting the consent of the assembled the barber shaves the groom’s face and takes him out to apply oil on his head and give him bath. All the time, the assembly goes on singing the ancient songs related to this ceremony. After this ceremony the boy will called bridegroom.

Ichappad Kodukkal – Once the groom re-enters the pandal after bath, his sister brings Ichappad (white rice pudding and jiggery) and an elder in his father’s line will, after having obtained permission from assembly give him Ichappad three times. This is a symbol of sumptuous and sweet life.

Minnu - The main symbol of marriage for Christians is the tying of Thali by the bridegroom around the neck of the bride. Thali is a small gold medal with a sign of the cross embossed on it for Christians. Knanaya Thali will have 21 small buds embossed in the form of a cross, and so it distinguishes from Thalies of other Christians and non-Christians. Using of a thread made up of seven yarns taken from the bridal veil, for the tying of thali.

Nada Vili – This is one of the privileges granted to the Knanaya Christians by the King Cheraman Perumal. According to the tradition, the bride and groom will ride on the elephant. Playing of various musical instruments like Pancha Vadhyam, and drums, special silken umbrellas (Thazha Kuda); various types of cheering like Kurava and Nada Vili etc. makes the wedding procession a solemn event. Nada Nada Nada given to the bride and bridegroom while going home from the church after the marriage.

Nellum Neerum - At the entering into the marriage pandal, prepared in front of the house, the mother of the bridegroom solemnly welcomes the newly wedded. The sister of the bridegroom holds a lighted brass lamp in one hand and a bowl in the other. The bowl contains water, paddy and palm leaf pieces, which are symbolic of purification and fertility. The mother makes the sign of the cross three times on the forehead of the newlywed couple with a wet piece of palm leaf (blessed on Palm Sunday) taken from the bowl held by the groom’s sister.

Vazhu Pidutham - In the pandal, the mother of the bride asks and obtains permission from the assembly to give a blessing to the couple. Then standing in front of the couple, she places her arms crosswise, right palm on the head of the bridegroom and left palm on the head of bride, seated to his left. At this time the ladies sing: “I give my benediction to you, so that you, your husband and your children may live long life....”. The rite of giving God's blessing to bride and groom by the mother/maternal aunt/elder sister of bride by placing her hands in the form of a cross on their heads.

Paallum Pazhavum – Milk with sliced fruits is brought to the couple in a cup and they both drink from the same. In the context, milk is symbolic of purity and the fruits symbolic of sacrificial offering.

Kacha Thazhukal – After the blessing the bride’s mother, maternal grandmother, and maternal uncle give the Thazhukal. The ceremony consists of a symbolic embrace, touching with hands below the thighs, giving assurance of continued support and protection by the elders to the newly wed people. It is also a ceremony using a new piece of cloth given to bride's relatives as a gift by the groom's party (Usually to bride's mother, grandmother, and maternal uncle/aunt).