Parker Florist

Parker Florist is great!
I used them for my wedding flowers last year, and did not have a long engagement (my husband and I wanted a small wedding). So things were moving relatively quickly, since we didn’t have to wait for 200 RSVPs.
As some of the previous reviews mention, the staff can seem laid back — but I consider this a good thing. They kept everything calm and running smoothly– exactly what I needed! The flowers were gorgeous and I couldn’t have been happier. They were flexible with our timing and accommodating with last minute requests.
I was especially impressed because I didn’t have a specific type of arrangement I wanted. I went in and said «I want it to look like a fall flower arrangement and I want these colors». The results exceeded my expectations. I’ve used them again since then, and they’ve been consistently great!

I used Parker Florist for my wedding flowers. Let me start by saying flowers were not a high priority for me – I like them but didn’t want to spend a fortune on décor that dies so quickly. Still I felt that there was a minimum amount of fresh flowers that a wedding requires. I did centerpieces myself, but wanted simple but pretty bouquets, bouts, and corsages as well as a couple of altarpieces. I settled on hydrangea as the most cost effective flower, and the best one to use with my color scheme of blue and purple. I decided to contact Parker Florist since they were conveniently close to the church and where I was getting ready. From the first Jim grasped exactly what I was asking for, including the special request for my bouquet – white hydrangea with blue orchids intermixed. Jim’s demeanor is one of extreme nonchalance, that can almost come across as apathy. But it comes from very long experience and having seen it all, rather than indifference; he doesn’t worry because he knows his business. This may be a bit off-​putting to the type A bride who wants reassurance and long discussion, but rest assured you are in good hands. Responsiveness is not their strong suit. After our initial consultation meeting about 8 months out, I was told he’d get a quote in a week, maybe 2. It took me calling back more than once and more than a month later to get the quote. After our follow up meeting in March, less than 3 months out, again, I was promised a final number in a couple weeks, and again didn’t hear back until I followed up weeks later. It was a bit disconcerting to hear a month out from my wedding, «oh your wedding is still a long ways off», his refrain since October, because it didn’t feel like it from my perspective. Still when Jim arrived the morning of my wedding with my bouquet, and those for my BMs, I was blown away with the beauty of the flowers and how perfectly they fit with my vision, especially for the reasonableness of the cost. If you’re willing to put yourself in Jim’s hands, you won’t be disappointed!

My daughter just got married and Parker Florist did an OUTSTANDING job on the flowers. I’ve worked for an excellent florist in the past during my college days and I can tell you from experience that Parker (and expecially Jim) exceeded all expectations with unbelievable centerpieces that had exactly the right colors and textures for the occasion. Jim LISTENS. and boy, did they deliver — hats off to you Parker Florist

I called Parker early on a Saturday morning to order a get-​well arrangement for a co-​worker. I was ordering on behalf of my office mates and for whatever reason it had taken me a while to actually get around to making the call, but I figured that so long as Parker could get it out that day we would be good. Well, when I called the woman who answered let me know that they weren’t taking additional orders for that day because they had a wedding, so the earliest my flowers could get out was Monday (they were closed on Sunday). I was clearly bummed until she told me that ok… she would try and get them out, but it wouldn’t be until the end of the day after work! I was thrilled they were being so totally accommodating. The flowers ended up getting to my co-​worker that evening and she was so surprised and absolutely loved the arrangement.
I didn’t see the flowers, so I cant take that into account in my review (my co-​worker did seem happy with them) I would use Parker again based solely on their excellent customer service.

I called Parker Florist for a simple table arrangement for a wedding party. Jim who answered the phone was curt: «Parker Flowers», «yup», etc. (Doesn’t anyone say ‘Good morning/​afternoon.” anymore. He’s been there too long.
I wish I could post a picture, because while in fairness, the flowers were very nice, they weren’t worth the almost $ 70 I paid. There were no roses and I would estimate the arrangement would be a reasonable and realistic value at $ 50.
Suggestion: Always reference a specific picture on the website and confirm they’ll use the actual flowers in the picture. Don’t go by their word that «they’ll do something nice».

In the good old days, this place was great. The flowers were top notch and the service good. That, sadly, is no longer the case. The last two orders from Parker were disappointing at best. I just received the July 4^th arrangment today. I sent the person who ordered them a thank you and a photo. He was very dissappointed. He told me it looks nothing like the on-​line photo and has far less flowers. Where are the roses, he said? I looked on-​line, and the arrangement is very skimpy compared to the advertised arrangement. Also, the flowers are looking a little beat up. Not quite as helathy looking as one would expect. Long story short, he called to inquire about it and was given the cold shoulder. They could only refund a portion for the missing roses but would not do anything more. When you send flowers, it is supposed to be a joyous occasion! None of us are happy this time around and there will not be another. Too bad, I lived in Wakefield for 10 years and now Reading for 15 and always purchased flowers from Parker — no more.

Sue did an absolutely BEAUTIFUL job with my wedding flowers. When I saw the dirt under her nails, I knew I was getting a florist who knew her stuff. She was kind, took her time and spent a lot of time going over options with us, including explaining what was in season, what was economical but pretty, etc. Highly recommend.

I have used these people many times and they do a beautiful job. I’ve always been very pleased.

Parker Florist is great if you need to send a same-​day arrangement to someone. They are cheap and I’ve always been happy with their results.
Unfortunately I had an awful customer service experience with them recently. I’m getting married next May 2013. I didn’t realize when scheduling my wedding that is falls on the Friday before Mothers Day Weekend (May 10^th). Anyway, a few weeks ago I walked in to Parker Florist inquiring about my wedding. Before they knew anything they tell me you need an appointment and took my phone number saying they would call me. TWO WEEKS go by with no phone call, so I call them. This lady comes on the phone and says she was «avoiding me» and that she was «hoping I found someone else» and «maybe I should do the flowers myself» because it would be a tough weekend for her. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! ITS MY WEDDING! All I want are small hydrangeas & rose centerpieces and then 3 bouquets for my bridesmaids — nothing big and complicated. I was shocked. They blatantly turned down my wedding business — and I would’ve paid them thousands of dollars! All because it fell on a FRIDAY NIGHT before Mothers Day Weekend.
If I ran that business I would NEVER of let that happen. I would never want to lose business, especially business from a formerly loyal customer. I am disgusted & disappointed that they would talk to a customer like that and I will not return to Parker.