Congratulations! Your friend has entrusted you with one of the most special roles for her big day: maid of honor. But not only are you responsible for standing beside the bride on her wedding day, you’re also the go-to gal for planning an absolutely epic bachelorette party.

For anyone who has never planned a big party before, this can feel like an overwhelming task. But with these five rules for success, you’re sure to plan an event your friend will never forget.

1. Plan with the bride in mind

It sounds so simple, yet it’s an area where so many well-intentioned maids of honor have gone awry. Is the bride the type of gal who loves hitting the clubs until the wee hours of the morning, dancing on tabletops and tossing back shots of tequila?

No? Then don’t plan a wild night out for her bachelorette party! Likewise, if your friend is the type to blush at the mere mention of “bedroom talk,” then forcing her to open present after present of lingerie in front of a room full of her closest friends probably won’t be fun for her.

Many people have an idea of what they think a bachelorette party should look like, but there’s only person whose opinion matters this time around: the bride.

You know your friend better than anyone, so plan the party that will make her happy - whether that’s an afternoon outing to a vineyard, a crazy night of clubbing and gambling in Vegas, or a relaxed evening at home with the girls.

2. Take charge

With the wedding date quickly approaching, it’s safe to say that the bride already has plenty on her plate. Let her know that you’re willing and able to take over all bachelorette party planning (with her blessing), and that this is one area where she doesn’t need to lift a finger.

Enlist the help of the bridesmaids, but keep it simple; allowing too many people to weigh in and offer alternative ideas can make planning messy. Communicate your expectations clearly, and let the bridesmaids know when and where they can contribute.

3. Set the budget

It’s no secret that the costs associated with planning an epic bash for all of the bride’s closest girlfriends can quickly add up. That said, no one should go broke from this event.

Early in the planning process, reach out to the bridesmaids to find out what their maximum budgets are...and plan a party that doesn’t exceed those numbers. Again, this sounds simple in theory, but it’s easy to get carried away.

Be sure that everyone who is invited has a clear understanding of all the costs, including items like hotel rooms, airfare, dinner, drinks, and gifts. As a general rule of thumb, the bride shouldn’t pay for herself - so let everyone know how much they need to chip in to cover her costs!

4. Send invites early

While extending an invitation to all of the bridesmaids is a given, it’s also typical to invite any other women who the bride may be close to. But don’t leave this up to chance; get the guest list from the bride herself to ensure no one is missed.

Once you have the list established, send out invitations (which can be as informal as an email or Evite) as early as possible. This will allow you to gather accurate data on how many people are attending, which will likely affect final costs.

It will also allow those who are coming to book their airfare, hotel rooms, and other tickets sooner when prices are usually lower.

5. Stock up on supplies

All good parties have a theme, and this event is no exception. Even if your “theme” is simply the bride’s favorite color or something obscure like “glitter,” “I Do,” or “champagne,” this step will help you narrow down your options when choosing supplies.

Stock up on plenty of festive decorations like streamers, balloons, banners, confetti, and signs. Decorative paper plates, napkins, straws, and cups will also add to the fun while making next-day cleanup a breeze. Likewise, party games and themed props will ensure plenty of Instagram-worthy photos and lasting memories.

And don’t forget bachelorette party gifts, accessories, and keepsakes for the bride herself; a special “Bride” wine glass, sash, or tiara will guarantee that everyone knows she’s the star of the evening.

Above all, stay focused and don’t forget the reason for planning this epic event: you’re bringing together all of the bride’s closest friends to commemorate a major life milestone. With this in mind, there’s no way you can go wrong.