When your friend asks you to be a bridesmaid, she is telling you how important you are in her life. Sounds like a lot of pressure, doesn't it? To make sure you do it right, you want to read up on these bridesmaid tips in our guide to being a great bridesmaid. Technically, bridesmaid duties only require you to buy the dress and show up to the wedding on time, but there are many other things you can do to really show your support. Bridesmaids can offer to help with prewedding tasks, whether it is helping to shop for bridesmaid dresses, her wedding dress, or even offering to assist in addressing invitations or package wedding favors. The bridesmaids also generally plan and host the bridal shower, including helping the bride to keep track of who gave her which wedding gift so she can send out thank-you notes later. A bridesmaid should also attend the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner if possible, and offer to run any last-minute errands on the day of the ceremony. And do not forget the bachelorette party! The bridesmaids will generally plan and pay for this event as a gift to the bride. Speaking of gifts, you will most likely want to get the happy couple something for the wedding. Often bridesmaids can go in on a gift together, increasing their buying power to get something really special. On the day of the wedding, it is nice for a bridesmaid to be on hand to help the bride with whatever she might need (yes, this includes helping her go to the bathroom in the big dress!). You will also probably be introduced at the reception with the groomsmen you walked with for the ceremony and possibly called on to dance during a wedding party dance. Other than that, enjoy yourself! It is a party after all.