Every story has a beginning, and the journey of De Uijlenes is no different. At the heart of it all are Flippie and Staci Groenewald, a husband-and-wife team whose love story is woven into the very fabric of this family farm.

Staci is a born-and-bred Kiwi, where fate brought her and Flippie together in New Zealand. Their shared love of the land and of each other led them back to South Africa in 2010, where Flippie represents the sixth generation of Groenewalds to live and farm here at De Uijlenes. What started as a dream to host church and school camps soon evolved—almost by chance—into creating the wedding venue that De Uijlenes is today. Inspired by Flippie’s mother, Aletta, and her warm hospitality (fondly remembered through her legendary cakes and bread), they reimagined the historic farm buildings and guest houses into spaces where love stories could begin.

Today, what matters most to Flippie and Staci is seeing their land and heritage become the backdrop for countless couples’ journeys. Each wedding here adds another layer to the tapestry of love, joy, and memories that has been growing for generations.

While Flippie tends to the animals and vegetable fields, Staci drives the business forward as the dedicated manager. Together, they juggle the busy life of running the farm and venues with raising their three children – Neël, Patrick, and Pippa – who are already growing up surrounded by the magic of De Uijlenes.

For Flippie and Staci, this is more than just a business. It’s a legacy of love, family, and hospitality. They see themselves not only as caretakers of the land, but also as stewards of the many love stories that begin here.