Engagement Session Coachella Valley Preserve

Brandon & Monique

I really don’t know much, but what I do know is when a couple brings tequila, a sombrero, and a bluetooth speaker to pump mariachi music, the engagement session is going to be amazing. And that is exactly what Brandon and Monique’s Coachella Preserve engagement photos were: amazing. This stylish couple are planning a destination wedding in Mexico next year and wanted to tie in some Latin vibes into the engagement session, which resulted in some really rad portraits. Seriously, I am a guy who is pretty anti-props at engagement sessions, but the way Brandon and Monique (well, I am sure it was probably entirely her vision, sorry Brandon) chose props that were emblematic of not only their personal style but their destination wedding made the whole session come together perfectly. Honestly, these two have personalities that are pure gold, so it was super easy to capture kick-ass photos of them. Below are some of the Coachella Valley Preserve engagement photos featuring two rock stars who go by the names Brandon and Monique. Viva la Mexico!

For couples seeking the top photography spots at the Coachella Preserve, or who simply want more information on the desert oasis for their potential Palm Springs area engagement session location, here are some general facts about the Coachella Preserve.

When Is Coachella Valley Preserve Open?

The Coachella Valley Preserve has hours that vary depending on the time of year you go. Brandon and Monique’s engagement photos were shot in November, so we worked off the winter hours, which were 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Another thing to keep in mind is that winter hours, which actually start on October 1st, also mean the desert oasis is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

What’s The Best Way To See Coachella Valley Preserve?

Most of the travel blogs would suggest the best way to view the Coachella Valley Preserve is via the San Andreas Fault Hummer Tour or the Joshua Tree Hummer Tour from Palm Desert (starting around $189). Those are definitely cool ways to experience the oasis, but honestly, I think the best thing you can do is what I did: show up and start hiking around the region on your own. Also, speak to the rangers working there and ask them about some of the cool spots in the Coachella Valley Preserve worth checking out.

Coachella Valley Preserve Entrance Fee

One of the coolest things about couples who decide to have their engagement photos at the Coachella Valley Preserve is that there is no entrance fee. This is really cool considering so many places in the Palm Springs area now require a permit or some sort of fee to shoot on the property. The Coachella Valley Preserve closed at 4:00 p.m. in November, but when Monique asked about staying a little later so we could utilize golden hour, the rangers were totally cool with it as long as we hooked them up with a small donation. I’d encourage anyone who enjoys the desert oasis to drop a few bucks in the donation area to help keep the Coachella Valley Preserve awesome and available for everyone.

For more information on the Coachella Valley Preserve, check out their website here.

Salud to Brandon and Monique for bringing the good vibes and making their Coachella Preserve engagement photos full of life. I sincerely hope you enjoy every minute of the wedding planning process and make time for laughter, dancing, and plenty of Don Julio tequila.