Eee bah gumboots - what a rural bride.

But if Heather Dobson, posing in bridal outfit at Moorlands Farm, Wigginton, wanted to find daintier footwear for the big day, she would have had instant help from a host of other North Yorkshire rural women.

They are members of WiRE Yorkshire - the Women in Rural Enterprise organisation.

Those whose country-based businesses specialise in weddings - from milliners, photographers and caterers to florists, jewellers and car hirers - have banded together to offer a complete service.

Bridie McHale, WiRE project officer, said: "We have a huge range of women who operate in the wedding business. The idea was to bring all that experience together under one group who would network and increase referrals. It's working as members exchange products and link together to benefit clients."

Updated: 09:56 Tuesday, May 23, 2006