Bridal shower- stick it out or new venue?

It depends on your state and how quickly things are opening up. I personally would look for another space, even if you're allowed to host it at the retirement community by then.

My advice is FIND A NEW SPACE!!! My grandmother also lives in a retirement community in the mid-west and there is no way they will allow events with non-residents to occur on their premises any time in the next several months. Visitors are only allowed in 30 minute intervals in the garden right now, not indoors at all. Also, I would be furious with my grandmother's retirement community if they allowed such an event to occur as soon as August--these are elderly people and the most at risk! Under normal circumstances, having a shower at your grandmother's retirement community would be a lovely idea, but these unfortunately aren't normal circumstances. I would recommend finding a new venue for your sake, and the sake of all of the residents of this retirement community

I would look for a new space, even if you don't end up using it. Having it is always better than not having a plan. You can also help offset some of the stress if needed - if she needs help, then it would be totally okay to help her when she's overwhelmed, even though it's your shower.

I would definitely recommend finding a new space. Even if they started allowing visitors, that is not an appropriate site for a large gathering for the foreseeable future.

Very relieved to hear this! wishing you a smooth time convincing your mom. Since I saw you mentioned you lived in an apartment, does your apartment have a party room that can be rented out? Or, maybe you have friends in your city who live in an apartment building with a party room.

I would find a new space. I also wouldn't worry too much. We had to change my bridal shower venue 3 times since the beginning of planning it. One place never re-opened after closing for COVID, the other didn't feel comfortable having us (which is totally fine) and they also decided to completely rip out the dinning room that we were supposed to have the shower; finally we found a newer restaurant that was willing to accommodate us. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it will work out.

Can your mom or other close family or friends host the shower at one of their homes?

I agree with you that retirement communities will probably have the strictest rules for the longest time!

If you’re only looking at 20 or so guests, I would see if someone would be willing to host at their home. My grandma is the main hub for family gatherings, and we fit 20-30 in her kitchen/living room on a semi-regular basis.

I agree with what others have said about not wanting to risk exposing those in the retirement community to COVID whether they allow you to have it there or not.

Sorry but I think you should find another venue. A retirement community is the last place we should have crowds at. You would feel horrible if there was a chance you were bringing any illnesses in yet alone Covid.