Bloggers {Unveiled}: Cathleya Schroeckenstein from WeddingBee!

How did you get started in the wedding world?
I started planning my own wedding in 2008 and fell into the world of blogging when I noticed that several brides in my area had their own wedding blogs. A friend of mine was blogging for Weddingbee and I loved the bride-to-bride sharing spirit that Weddingbee provided. I blogged for a bit on my own wedding blog and eventually applied to be a blogger for the site. It became nothing short of an obsession of mine, and the site’s founder and publisher, Bee Kim, eventually asked me if I’d like to work with her as an editor. I eventually quit my previous job to come on full time as the site’s Editor in Chief a few months after my wedding and have been here ever since!

What is your makeup staple?
I work at home so I keep it pretty minimal on the weekdays. On the weekends and when I go out I really like to have a full face of makeup, because I spend so many days makeup-less! My routine “done up” face includes MAC Studio Moisture Tint topped with Bare Escentuals Tinted Mineral Veil. I can’t live without MAC Liquid Eyeliner and MAC Tinted Lipglass in Viva Glam VI (SO many people ask me what lip gloss I’m wearing when I have it on!). And there is no mascara holier than Diorshow Iconic. None! Full disclosure: I live 2 blocks from a MAC store which explains why about 80% of my makeup comes from there.

What is one thing that others don’t know about you?
This is a really hard question…I try my best to be an open book, online and off. I guess people would be surprised to know that despite being a pretty chatty and social person, I thrive in isolation. My husband is always surprised that despite the fact that I spend most days alone without social interaction, I don’t really crave it. When he comes home at night it’s not as if I feel like chatting his head off. Even though I’d be happy as a clam to go out every day and socialize, I could stay at home for days on end and not speak to another human and be totally content. I’m an only child—to the extreme!

What is one piece of advice you would give to others trying to get started with their own business?
Don’t be afraid to find ways to interact with business people in your industry that you admire or that you’d ideally want to be associated with. Social media has opened up incredible avenues for people to interact with each other on a micro-level. It’s hard to get someone who you’d like to associate with or ask advice of to sit down for a coffee or a lunch—that takes a good chunk of time out of someone’s busy day. But to interact daily with someone via Facebook or Twitter, getting tidbits of advice and networking in that manner—showing people what you’re capable of and what you’re willing to do has found people a lot of success. Be present, and be persistent!

What is your favorite part about weddings?
I love the parts that really make you cry. My favorite weddings have been the ones that really make you just burst into tears of joy. It most often happens during the ceremony, if a couple has written personal vows, but many times it hits me when the father of the bride is giving his speech, beaming with pride, speaking to his daughter and her new husband. It hardly matters if I know the couple or not…weddings have a way of just making your heart swell with happy tears!

What is your hobby outside of blogging {is there life outside of blogging!}?
My husband and I love hiking and spending time with our dog, Billie! Cooking is probably my main hobby. I love cooking a great meal for friends, especially Thai food! Sadly we don’t have a dining table so my entertaining capacity is limited!

For more information, visit WeddingBee for tons of inspiration!!

Thanks, Cathy!
~jacin