To quote Apple’s infamous tagline, when it comes to step-by-step party planning, “There’s an app for that.” Or rather, apps for that. We’ve culled the seemingly billions of apps available to bring you eight that will act as a party planning assistant, from menu and drinks to decor and music. Ready?
The Must-Have Apps to Make All Your Hostessing and Planning Stress Fall Away
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The Invitations
If you haven't heard of Paperless Post you might be living on the moon. It's the trendy app that lets you create stylish invitations and thank you cards that you send—you guessed it—electronically. So round up your emails and download this one for free. It's way classier than the standard Facebook event evite.
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The Appetizers
Are you going to do pigs in a blanket? No. What about something complicated like little puff pastries filled with fois gras? Double No. Easy Spanish tapas are the way to go and The Photo Cookbook — Tapas app gives you photos and instructions that feel like you've got a personal chef to teach you how. Available in the iTunes app store for $3.99
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The Main Dish
This app How To Cook Everything is basically the only cookbook you'll ever need. It goes everywhere you do, it has detailed diagrams and videos to teach you technique along with recipes. Plus it has holiday and event-themed menus to take the guess work out of picking random dishes. Get it at iTunes for $9.99
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Bartending Skills
Speakeasy Cocktails - Learn From Modern Mixologists doesn't just show you how to throw gin and vermouth in a glass. You get videos from two NYC drink slingers who know their business. And not just any cocktails, these are old school and classy, and exactly what bars in the biggest cities are serving nightly. $4.99 at the iTunes app store.
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Get It All Delivered
Okay, now you've got your list of grocery items to buy. But who wants to take the time to go get all of that the day of the party ensuring everything is fresh? Instacart is an app that connects you to local personal shoppers who will go to the store and get it for you. No joke. Just pick out what you need via the app and voila, delivery. It's free in the iTunes app store.
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Spruce Up Your Place
One King's Lane has all of the chic little extras you might want to purchase just for the occasion. One of the best parts is that you can filter products by the least expensive. Download free from iTunes.
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Design The Best Decor
Use Crate and Barrel 3D Room Designer if you don't happen to have an interior design degree and don't know anyone who does. It actually allows you to virtually design a room's decor using 3D technology. You don't have to buy anything, but feel free to use it as a mockup of your space, so you can try different arrangements without moving the furniture. Free from iTunes.
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Mix the Best Music
DJ2 is going to give you hours of fun before and after the party. It works as a DJ station without the two turntables and a microphone. It integrates with the music you already have to let you create playlists that seamlessly merge music so there's no break between beats. Plug your device into speakers and let it do its thing. $9.99 in iTunes.
