Exclusive Photos from Eboni K. Williams’ Baby Shower

Eboni K. Williams celebrated her upcoming arrival with her closest friends and family at an intimate baby shower on June 29. The event was held at the upscale Times Square EDITION luxury hotel in New York City. The 40-year-old former star of “Real Housewives of New York City,” who had revealed her pregnancy exclusively to PEOPLE in June, wanted a close-knit celebration and invited only 30 people to be part of the special day.

Williams envisioned an “enchanted garden”-inspired party, and with the help of her friend Cristina Alesci, that vision came to life. The venue was transformed with lush greenery and vibrant flowers, courtesy of Une Table by Tania. Williams herself wore a long, flowy pink dress, with her hair and makeup impeccably done by T. Cooper. The intimate setting, she said, allowed for a real sense of community and celebration for her baby girl.

Guests were treated to a delightful brunch that included prime rib, broccolini frittata, and crème brûlée French toast, accompanied by endless mimosas. The menu featured a custom crest bearing the baby’s initials, L.A.W. An emotional moment came during the champagne toast and cake cutting, where Williams expressed her gratitude and excitement for her daughter’s imminent arrival.

Reflecting on the shower, Williams shared with PEOPLE that celebrating this life-changing event with her closest friends and chosen family made it incredibly special. The cake, crafted by BCakeNY, added to the joy and celebratory atmosphere of the day.

In a candid conversation with PEOPLE, Williams provided insights into her journey to motherhood. Her baby girl is due on August 16, and Williams described her pregnancy as a “remarkable miracle.” Two years ago, Williams revealed she was using her frozen eggs and attempting to become a mother through sperm donation and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

“Anybody who’s gone through IVF or attempted IVF will tell you so many things have to go right for the final result of this journey to be a baby,” Williams said. Her journey has led her to view her pregnancy as a substantial favor from above, pointing to the numerous hurdles one must overcome in the IVF process.

Surprisingly, Williams admitted that motherhood wasn’t always her aspiration. She shared that she never fantasized about having children, not even after she froze her eggs at 34. It wasn’t until later, during the pandemic, that Williams started contemplating legacy, life, and love, which opened her up to the possibility of motherhood.

Williams also discussed her decision to embrace single motherhood by choice. She acknowledged the ongoing stigma against single mothers, particularly Black single mothers, but emphasized that the narrative has significantly evolved. Williams credited her mother, Gloria, who raised her single-handedly, for her inspiration.

“It is not the shame-ridden narrative that it used to be. That’s not the story,” she asserted. Williams highlighted the love and dedication that go into raising a child as a single mother by choice. She emphasized that these children are deeply wanted and cherished, with their mothers investing significant resources to bring them into the world and ensure they are showered with all they deserve.

Source: PEOPLE