Our Story
Thomas and Chenika met in their first year at the University of Bristol in 2019 through mutual friends, unaware that a global pandemic was about to intervene. Their time on campus was cut short when Thomas went back to Lyme Regis and Chenika to Geneva for lockdown. What could have been a pause instead became the beginning. Lockdown evenings were filled with messages, phone calls, and laughter, and their friendship quietly blossomed into something more.
When they reunited in Bristol for their second year, Thomas wasted no time and took Chenika on their very first date in September 2020. By September, 27 2020, they happily made things official. Over the next two years at Bristol, they became each other’s biggest supporters — sharing study sessions, weekend trips, and plenty of memories — all leading up to their graduation in the summer of 2022.
After university, Thomas and Chenika made the move to London. Thomas began his engineering master’s degree, while Chenika started her legal career and prepared for her solicitors qualifying exams. Just as life was getting comfortable in London, adventure called again, and in October 2023, Thomas had the opportunity to move to York and join an engineering consultancy firm. Chenika stayed in London, and for eight months they visited each other every other weekend, proving that distance is no match for determination (or a well-timed rail ticket).
By the summer of 2024, Chenika packed up and joined Thomas in York, where they started a brand new adventure together. They fell in love with the historic city and it's peaceful atmosphere.
At the end of summer 2025, during a visit to Lyme Regis, Thomas asked Chenika to marry him on a sunset stroll along their favourite cliff-top path — a perfect setting for a question that had been a long time coming. They have since purchased their first house together in York, the city they now call home.
Venue Details
Complimentary taxis will run from Allerton Castle to York City Centre at 23:30.
Please indicate on our RSVP form if you would like to make use of this service.
Free parking is available at Allerton Castle.
Please note that any alternative transportation must be booked in advance as this is a countryside location without taxi services.
For international guests please refer to the section "International Travel" for further information.
TRANSPORTATION
ACCOMMODATION
There are a variety of lovely hotels, cottages and AirBnB options available in York, Knaresborough and Harrogate.
Knaresborough is a quiet market town with beautiful scenery whilst York and Harrogate are larger towns with a variety of restaurants, shops and activities.
Some Suggestions:
*The Grand, York
*DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa
*Goldsborough Hall - Knaresborough
*Allerton Park - Holiday Lodges
RSVP
PLEASE RSVP BY: JUNE 1ST, 2026
We kindly ask all guests to RSVP so we can plan every detail of our celebration with you in mind.
Please refer to the "Wedding Menu" section below for detailed menu options.
Wedding Menu
Please select an Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert on the RSVP Form.
1
Appetizer
Salmon Trio
roulade of salmon, hot smoked salmon
and salmon truffle served with a rich and zesty lemon dressing
or
Spiced cauliflower steak
served with crunchy cauliflower bon bons
and spiced aromatic dressing.
2
Entrée
Slow Roasted Sirloin of Beef
served with fondant potatoes, short rib croquette, celeriac purèe and a red wine glaze.
or
Mediterranean Vegetable & Spinach Wellington
served with squash purée and glazed hasselback potatoes.
3
Dessert
Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding
with a rich butterscotch sauce & vanilla pod ice cream
or
Classic Saffron Poached Pear
nestled beside sticky ginger sponge, brandy snap tulle and stem ice cream
*Wedding cake will be served with
late night bites*
Key Moments of our Wedding
16:45
Dinner
19:30
Cutting the Cake
20:00
First Dance
14:00
Ceremony
15:00
Canapés & Drinks
23:30
Farewell
This will be a formal summer wedding. We invite you to take the opportunity to dress up for for this special occasion.
Gentlemen: Suits
Ladies: Dress or Pantsuit
Footwear
Our wedding will be taking place in a historic venue with original oak floors. The venue has therefore asked that guests refrain from wearing heels which are smaller than a postage stamp to avoid any damage to the floors.
Dress Code
Frequently
Asked
Questions
When must I RSVP by?
Please RSVP by 1 June 2026.
Am I allowed to bring a plus one?
Although we would love to celebrate with everyone, due to restricted capacity, we are unable to allow plus ones. Those addressed on our invites will be able to attend. We thank you for understanding.
Are children welcome to attend?
We love your little ones but this will be an adults- only wedding.
Will there be parking?
Allerton Castle has designated guest parking. Please note that if you choose to drive, guest's cars cannot be left on the premises overnight. If you wish to make alternative travel arrangements, please ensure this is pre-booked in advance as it a countryside location.
Are drinks provided?
Wine and champagne will be served with dinner and a cash bar will be available after the ceremony.
International Travel
We are so grateful that you are travelling internationally to join us at our wedding. To help make your travels as smooth as possible, we have provided information below regarding different transportation options.
London Airports
Although London may seem far away from York, they are very well connected. It is recommended to take a train from London to York.
If you are arriving in London, you can take the London Underground or a taxi to Kings Cross Station where trains depart to York.
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London King's Cross Station
London King's Cross operates a high speed train from London to York known as the LNER Azuma which takes just under two hours.
This is the recommended train.
Grand Central also operates a slightly slower service to York.
Train tickets can be purchased either at the station itself or using the Trainline app which we recommend.
Manchester Airport
Manchester airport is located about two hours away from York.
There are train services which connect the two cities.
Trains from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly station in the city centre take around 20 minutes. They run every 10 minutes.
On average, it takes around 1 hour and 57 minutes to travel from Manchester Piccadilly to York station.
Car Rental
Car rentals are possible from the airport. If you are travelling from London, the drive to York is approximately four hours. If you are travelling from Manchester, this will take approximately two hours.
Weather in York
Although this is a summer wedding, York is quite far north and temperatures tend to be around twenty degrees celsius in August. Keep an eye on the weather app for more accurate temperatures closer to the time.
Travel Within York
Ubers operate within York and these can be booked through the Uber app. York also has multiple taxi stands throughout the city centre which accept both cash and card payments. A public bus service operates throughout York and neighbouring suburbs which accept cash and card.