Planning a party? Try hiring it in
Guests come right to your front door. Shouldn’t everything else?
Whether you’re hosting Friday night cocktails or a Father’s Day brunch, it’s now possible to take the pressure off by ordering everything in. Yes, everything. Even a cleanup crew.
Prices may vary according to delivery locations, and there are sure to be some specialty delivery apps for your specific neighborhood. But here’s a sampling of sites we found that can deliver it all to your door — food, flowers, even rental dishes (or chic paper ones, if that’s more your style).
The booze
Use the Minibar Delivery site or app for on-demand alcohol. Prep your drink list — wines, beers, cocktail ingredients — and have it delivered within an hour from a local liquor store. Not sure what you need? The party-planning tool gives a “bottle breakdown” of what to buy based on number of guests, party length and time of day. Alcohol prices are standard to your liquor store; $5 delivery. minibar delivery.com The food
Outsource with Postmates to have your favorite local restaurant dishes delivered. From Bottega Louie’s pork chop to Jon & Vinny’s salad pizza, it’ll arrive ASAP; deliveries start at $5 plus 9% service fee. You can even get sweets from local bakeries. Another option for dessert? Order from Burbank-based Modern Bite, featuring cookies that will thrill guests with their highly Instagrammable Art Deco designs, as well as less photogenic but highly delicious chocolate truffle or pretzel toffee cookies. Prices start around $15 for a dozen; two-business-day delivery starts at $10. post mates.com, modernbite.com
Invitations and decor
At Minted, you can order everything from place cards to menus, table runners to bunting, all featuring the work of independent designers — no big-box feel here. Choose from party themes and packages or pick from designs ranging from the offbeat (eyeglasses, flamingos) to the elegant (abstract watercolors, classic typography). Prices start at $28 for runners and banners and $11 for delivery. www.minted.com
The f lowers
BloomNation, a floraldelivery site, calls on independent florists to craft centerpiece-worthy flowers by the next day. Make your choice from photo options or sort by flower type or price. Depending on the florist you select, you may even purchase your anemones right in a handmade porcelain vase, as with Nora Floral Studio in South Pasadena, or drought-friendly succulents in a low wood box from Mid-City’s Dandelion Ranch. Prices start at $30 for small arrangements and at $5 for delivery. www.bloomnation.com
The dishware
If it’s a casual event, try disposable plates from Long Beach-based Wild Child Party. A far cry from the plain, white supermarket ones — think copper striped, and cactus-printed paper plates. Napkins available in similar patterns; $8 gets you 10 pieces of biodegradable birchwood cutlery, cut like high-end silverware. Pieces ship in under a week; shipping starts at $6. Looking for something more substantial? Try El Segundo-based Dishwish, a unique rental company that features vintage china and stemware that you can mix, match, and rent à la carte. Order three days ahead of time; rentals start at $1 per dinner plate, with a $125 fee for pickup and delivery. wildchildparty.com, dishwishevents.com
The cleanup
Meet Handy, a platform where you can book a professional house cleaner for as soon as today. Use the site or app to fill out preliminary information about your home and what you’re after, from a general cleanup to someone to tackle inside the refrigerator and oven. Also on offer: handyman services from furniture assembly to plumbing work, because it’s not really a “guest bath” if the toilet is finicky. Prices start at $35 an hour. www.handy.com