Inside Pregnant Rachel Fuda's French-Themed Baby Shower: 'A Day I Will Remember Forever' (Exclusive)

Rachel Fuda is celebrating a big milestone!

The reality star is still a few weeks away from giving birth to a baby boy who will join the children she shares with husband John Fud: daughters Gianella Jolie (4) and Giuliana Rose (2), as well as Jaiden — John’s 17-year-old son from a previous relationship, whom Rachel adopted.

But despite being pregnant before, The Real Housewives of New Jersey star had her first on Sunday, January 5: her first baby!

That’s because the COVID-19 pandemic was raging while Rachel was pregnant with Gianella and Giuliana, making in-person gatherings like baby showers impossible. To make up for the missed affairs, John combined what Rachel tells PEOPLE is “my first child birth with my last baby!”

“It was a day that I will remember forever and memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life,” enthused Rachel (33). “John went out of his way to make this a really special day, and he did, it was amazing!”

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John Fuda and Rachel Fuda.

Photo of tiny hearts/Maria Rogers

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The affair, held in New Jersey, was attended by nearly 65 members of Fuda’s family and friends – including herself The Real Housewives of New Jersey actresses Melissa Gorga, Margaret Josephs, Danielle Cabral and Jenn Fessler.

Brittany Mattessich, Frank Catania’s fiancee, was also there.

“I can’t tell you how nice it was to be in a room of loving people who were genuinely happy for me and my growing family,” says Rachel.

Margaret Josephs, Melissa Gorga, Rachel Fuda, Jenn Fessler and Danielle Cabral.

Photo of tiny hearts/Maria Rogers

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John enlisted Gorga, Josephs and Josephs’ longtime business partner Lexi Barbuto to help with the planning.

The event, designed by Bubbly Blossom Co., had a French theme with “Bonjour Bébé Fuda” emblazoned across a Parisian backdrop. The structure was covered in blue and white balloons of various sizes and accented with bookshelves decorated with candles and vases of blue and white flowers. A white bicycle filled with flowers is placed in front of it to add texture to the design.

There were also vases with blue and white hydrangeas and roses on the tables in the room. Instead of table numbers, each seat is named after a city in France.

Rachel Fuda and Brittany Mattessich.

Photo of tiny hearts/Maria Rogers

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The flower cart, by Petal & Pouf, not only worked with the theme, but also provided the perfect workstation to offer party goers custom bouquets to take home.

Maria Rogers of Tiny Hearts Photography captured photos of the event, which she shared exclusively with PEOPLE. There was also a TapSnap photo booth where participants could pose for memories.

Guests enjoyed a complete meal, which was topped with a three-layer chocolate and vanilla cake made by JG Desserts.

Margaret Josephs, Rachel Fuda and Melissa Gorga.

Photo of tiny hearts/Maria Rogers

Music by DJ Sal of Magic Moments Productions kept the energy going, while RuPaul’s Drag Race star Crystal Envy provided the entertainment in a hilarious line of lip service (to songs like Britney Spears’ “Oops… I Did It Again”). Crystal also hosted afternoon games, including “Oprah or Labor?” where guests had to guess whether the audio showed Oprah yelling or (you guessed it), a woman giving birth.

“We played the funniest games,” says Rachel. “Everyone was laughing, it was so great. And Crystal was such a big surprise. Everyone enjoyed her performance so much.”

Rachel Fuda and Crystal Envy.

Photo of tiny hearts/Maria Rogers

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As for Rachel, she looked gorgeous in an off-the-shoulder, cream sequin LPA dress. Hairstylist Kevin Kelly and makeup guru Darian Marie Horn gave Rachel a glamorous look, her dark locks pulled back in loose waves and her cheeks and lips kissed with the softest of pinks. She completed the look with dangling diamond earrings and – what else – French nails.

“There is not a thing I would change,” she adds. “It was such a beautiful day.”

Rachel Fuda.

Photo of tiny hearts/Maria Rogers

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Rachel revealed her pregnancy news exclusively to PEOPLE in August. – We are so excited – she said about the happy news she shared with her RHONJ actors during the filming of the 14th season of the “Off the Rails” special. “We’re ready to be six!”

“John and I always felt like our family wasn’t complete,” she explained at the time. “We actually have a table in my kitchen and when we sit down for dinner, there’s one empty chair. And we always looked at each other like, ‘Oh, it would be nice to fill that spot.’ So we’ve always had room for one more in our home and in our hearts, and we’re both so happy to welcome another child into the family. It just seemed like the time had come.”

Rachel Fuda.

Photo of tiny hearts/Maria Rogers

And while it’s no doubt difficult at times to juggle pregnancy with raising a family and managing a chronic illness (she was diagnosed with arthritis at a young age), Rachel previously told PEOPLE that she copes by embracing the happiness that motherhood has brought into her life.

“There really is no better feeling in the world than having children,” Rachel said. “It’s almost a kind of love that you just can’t explain. Like, those little people make me a better person. They teach me every day. I’ve learned to slow down and just enjoy the little moments in life, like cuddling on the couch and reading a book together and it keeps me grounded, because they remind me of what’s really important in this world.”

“I feel that my true purpose in life is to be a mom,” she added. “It fulfills me more than I ever thought possible. And I can’t wait to do it again. I mean, what’s better than bringing life into the world? How lucky am I?”

Previous seasons The Real Housewives of New Jersey can be streamed on Peacock. The series remains on hiatus, with no filming date or cast for season 15.

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