A little bit about Aría Style

Aria Style is one of Seattle’s most trusted event florists and designers. We are known for our ability to create exceptional experiences by providing the highest-quality service available, the most stunning flowers, and the most striking displays.

The Aría Style team has also become the top choice of some of Seattle’s biggest companies, organizations, and sports teams to create captivating and unforgettable events. Whether you’re looking to capture the fun and sparkle of the holidays or the refinement of a well-heeled fundraiser, we are your perfect partner.

Aria Style was founded by John Gardner in 2001 and is now led by Alicia Wilson Kelly.

Alicia’s Florigin Story:

My family started in floristry with my grandma’s grandma, making me a fifth generation florist. I grew up around flowers and have always felt connected to them. 

My grandma and her siblings own a flower delivery shop in North Seattle that’s been there since 1968. When I was little, we would stop by and I got to pick out a flower that my aunt would put in a water vial. I almost always picked a rose and carried it around all day. 

I remember continuously begging my grandma for flowers; “Can I make an arrangement?” She’d take me to her shop when she went after hours and put me on a stool at the design counter with last week’s flowers to play with. She would periodically give me tips, but mostly she just let me experiment. Occasionally, she took me with her to the floral wholesalers; I now love seeing florists there with their kids because those are such fun memories for me. 

As I got older, I worked in the shop on and off doing odd jobs, learning the business and design. Grandma taught me the value of negative space in an arrangement, Aunt Judy taught me about color and texture, and Aunt Joanne taught me how to create interesting and balanced shapes. Working in a daily delivery shop also gave me the ability to be very flexible in my style because in one day, you may make 20 different arrangements in 20 different styles!

Grandma and Alicia at family flower shop

Separate from the flower shop, I spent ten years working in higher education. I started in classrooms and labs before moving my way up in administration. I planned lots of internal and external events: everything from science conferences to holiday parties. All the while I had been popping in and out of the family shop when they needed a designer or when I needed some extra money. After ruminating on what I wanted to do next, I realized that the one constant in my life, what I always came back to, was flowers.

Alicia Wilson Kelly and John Gardner from Aria Style

Taking over the business from Aria Style’s founder, John Gardner, has been such a privilege. I LOVE decorating events. Planning them was my favorite part of several of my jobs because I love to craft an experience, gather people, and create opportunities for connection. When I’m not at work, I love to ride horses, do pilates, and spend time with my dogs: Coco and Kevin.

 

Two dogs

Thanks for reading!

-Alicia