I really don't think there is a substitute for LOV-that's what makes it so exquisite. You can use faux, but the scent is what is so amazing-absolutely unique. We used to sell a diffuser that was lily of the valley fragrance and it was REALLY popular....Hillhouse Naturals, but they don't make it anymore. We still have people asking for it several years later.....
I have a huge patch of it along the East and North side of my house. But, like Linda stated, you can never count on when exactly it will bloom. It's usually for a two week time period at most. I do cut it when it's in bloom and put little tiny vases of it in my house. The fragrance is heavenly. I usually bring some into one of the stores as well and add it as a special bonus to some arrangements....especially good customers.
IIRC, Martha Stewart did an all LOV bouquet on one of her covers years ago and most florists hated her for it! I think this is our chance to sell small, exquisite bouquets. We can also capitalize on the meaning of the flowers. I think I need to get one of those lists out again and put it with our bridal books.
I think I would rather use LOV than lilac for weddings. I remember doing an ALL lilac wedding a few years ago and praying that our local lilacs would be in bloom at that time. It was an April wedding.....if it was this year I would have been screwed! Not even a leaf on our lilacs on May 1st. Luckily we did have some local lilac blooming at that time. It wasn't even an expense thing....but when the bride is used to seeing the full lush lilac on the bushes in her yard and then gets a bouquet of little puny buds with little fragrance it's a real let down.
We do usually have silk LOV in stock. There's some pretty good stuff out there. If we could just get a real smelling spray to put on them...then we may have an answer!
I didn't mind the bouquet. If you look back at many of the royal wedding bouquets, it's not all that unusual for a small bouquet-similar to Grace Kelly's and Camilla Parker-Bowles. Diana's was just so exravegant and gorgeous-but, ah, that was the 80's, a time of over the top extravegance!
Well here I go again. In answer to Sprouts ? what to recomment for LOV I said I could recomment to go pick their own! lol! It actually grows wild 5 houses from my shop. I first noticed it about 4 years ago when walking my puppy dog. It is growing on the north side of the street on both sides oF the steps to the front door. It is so tiny and delicate and short! (maybe that is because it does not get alot of sun on the north side). Anyway, the lady at the house said I could pick some, they don't or didn't know what it was. It grows in big patches and it spreads. I told them it was LOV and very expensive. Her son owned the house and didn't care. The house is now up for sale. Hey, I could buy it and market the LOV! lol! LOV is probably worth more than the house 
