Non bridesmaid helper

We are having a very small wedding in a couple of months. It's more of a party that we just so happen to be getting married before. Now here's the problem. My SO wanted a very small wedding, and so do i, so with that being said our wedding party is very small. We have a small budget so we're doing everything ourselves. I have a very special person dear to my heart (she's actually the one doing my hair) but I want to include her more in the wedding. I would love for her to sit in the front row, help us set up decortstions, and prep everything, stay with us the night before, etc. I also don't have a ring barer because,we have no boys in our family and I would love for her to do that for me too. I plan on getting her a really good gift at the end. But mainly how can I ask her to be more involved without sounding tacky? I don't want to seem like I want to over work her or take advantage but I want her to be there thru everything...