Whether it’s your sister’s, best friend’s, or coworker’s wedding, being asked to be a maid of honor is no small feat. It’s such a meaningful title that expresses how much you mean to the bride. However, as the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is expected. Therefore, the role of the maid of honor comes with expectations.

For starters, you’re the bride’s right-hand woman, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself making critical wedding plans and decisions on her behalf. Therefore, you’ll need to bring your A-game. On that note, here are a few tips on how to go above and beyond as the maid of honor.

Take charge of the bridal party.

It goes without saying that every bride expects a bachelorette party or, at the very least, an engagement party. Therefore, as the maid of honor, it’ll be your duty to corral the bridesmaids and come up with a unique bridal shower gift idea that’ll fit the bride’s style. This will also be a good time to remind everyone of the bridal shower gift etiquette.

A great place to start when finding meaningful gifts is the couple’s wedding registry. That way, each bridesmaid will be sure to show up with a thoughtful bridal shower gift. For instance, if the bride loves cooking, a kitchen appliance will make the perfect gift. Other great bridal shower gifts for such a bride include an air fryer, a blender, a stand mixer, a waffle maker, a refrigerator, and pans. Another ideal bridal shower gift would be a custom cutting board, oven mitts, or coasters that have a monogram of the couple’s name or initials.

Stick to the bride’s personal interests.

Planning a wedding party can be hectic, and it gets more chaotic when everyone seems to have an idea or opinion on how things should be done. To go above and beyond as a maid of honor, you’ll need to take charge and steer every decision in favor of the bride’s interests and personal style. For instance, if there seems to be discord regarding the music to be played at the wedding reception, you can hire a jazz band. A local online search for “live jazz band for wedding” will help you find a reliable group.

The beauty of using a jazz band is that jazz music can fit any event and setting. For instance, the live band can play smooth jazz during the cocktail hour then transition into something upbeat like the swing band or big band era to pull the crowd to the dance floor. Not to mention, a live band is typically made up of flexible and talented musicians who can play a variety of music that will be appealing to guests of different ages. That way, the bride, groom, and guests all stand an equal chance to dance to some of their favorite songs.

Be prepared for the worst.

Anyone who’s actively been involved in a wedding will tell you one thing: Always be prepared for the worst. The fact is, you never know what could go wrong, so it’s best you stay ahead of the game, whether that means having a backup vendor or an emergency bag. For instance, what happens if the DJ’s laptop crashes? Do you have a backup playlist? Also, you’ll need an emergency bag that contains everything you can imagine that the bride will need, from spray deodorant to face wipes, safety pins, and band-aids. This is because you never know when they might come in handy. You can never be too prepared.

Make yourself emotionally present.

There is so much pressure with planning a wedding, especially if it’s without a planner. Therefore, you’ll need to commit yourself to be the bride’s go-to person in times of crisis or when she needs a listening ear. The bride will forever be grateful to have you as someone she can confide in and seek advice from. So, make sure you are caring, attentive, and emotionally present during this period.