Melanie initially ignored that advice and married her childhood sweetheart, Jake Perry, fresh out of high school. They got married solely because she was pregnant, she ultimately miscarrying.

Is the movie Sweet Home Alabama based on a true story?

While the movie may not mirror her love life – as far as we know, Witherspoon never tracked down her first husband in her hometown to get a divorce, only to fall back in love with him - Sweet Home Alabama rings true for her experiences with small town life.