<P> Andrew arrives at the Carmichael Plantation to surprise Melanie . Jake takes him to a Civil War reenactment, where Melanie is with her father . On the way, knowing who Andrew is, Jake regales him with the story of "Felony" Melanie Smooter, a young girl who once tied dynamite to a cat's tail and then was arrested after it ran into the bank . When Andrew sees Melanie at the battlefield, she tells him Jake is her former husband . When her father introduces himself as Earl Smooter, Andrew realizes that Melanie has lied to him about who she really is and leaves . Andrew soon appears at Melanie's parents' house, having gotten over the shock and admitting he still wants to marry her, here in Alabama . Once Melanie's friends from New York arrive, they browse at a glazier whose wares they all have admired in New York, only to realize it is Jake . </P> <P> Melanie's lawyer interrupts the wedding ceremony, bringing the divorce papers that Melanie herself has missed signing . Melanie hesitates, realizing her love for Jake . She wishes Andrew luck in finding a good woman . Andrew, distressed but showing no ill - feelings, wishes her well in return . His mother explodes, berating Andrew for risking his promising political career and verbally attacking Melanie . She then insults the town and Melanie's mother, for which Melanie punches her in the jaw, to the cheers of the crowd . </P> <P> Melanie, in her wedding gown in the rain, finds Jake planting metal rods in the beach to draw lighting to create more sand sculptures . She tells him they are still married, and asks why he didn't tell her he came to New York . They repeat the conversation from when they were children about why they want to be married . As Jake and Melanie kiss, sheriff Wade "arrests" them and takes them to the bar owned by Jake's mother, where their friends and family are waiting . The pair finally get their long - awaited first dance as husband and wife, to the tune of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama ." A mid-credits sequence shows that they have a daughter . Melanie continues to thrive as a designer and Jake opens a "Deep South Glass" franchise in New York . A newspaper clipping announces the wedding of Andrew and a girl named Erin Vanderbilt . </P> <Ul> <Li> Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Smooter / Melanie Carmichael . She grew up in Pigeon Creek, Alabama and moved to New York City to follow her dreams . Now a noted fashion designer, she was engaged to the wealthy Andrew Hennings . <Ul> <Li> Dakota Fanning as Young Melanie </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Josh Lucas as Jake Perry . Perry is married to Melanie who has been his best friend since childhood . He lives in Pigeon Creek, Alabama . <Ul> <Li> Thomas Curtis as Young Jake </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Patrick Dempsey as Andrew Hennings . The son of New York City Mayor Kate Hennings, he is engaged to Melanie . </Li> <Li> Ethan Embry as Bobby Ray Bailey, one of Melanie's childhood friends . He is outed by Melanie and is a good friend to Jake . </Li> <Li> Mary Kay Place as Pearl Smooter, mother of Melanie . She is happily married to Earl Smooter . </Li> <Li> Fred Ward as Earl Smooter, Melanie's father . He enjoys participating in re-enactments of the Civil War . </Li> <Li> Candice Bergen as Mayor Kate Hennings . The mother of Andrew, she is wary of his relationship with Melanie . </Li> <Li> Jean Smart as Stella Kay Perry, the mother of Jake, Melanie's husband . She owns "Stella's", a local tavern . </Li> <Li> Melanie Lynskey as Lurlynn, who lives in Pigeon Creek and is a childhood acquaintance of Melanie . </Li> <Li> Courtney Gains as Sheriff Wade, a childhood friend of Melanie . </Li> <Li> Mary Lynn Rajskub as Dorothea, Wade's wife . </Li> <Li> Rhona Mitra as Tabatha Wadmore - Smith, one of Melanie's best friends from New York . </Li> <Li> Susannah Halling as the official leader of the Redneck Dancing Association . </Li> <Li> Nathan Lee Graham as Frederick Montana, Melanie's friend and mentor from New York . He is a fashion designer and friendly competitor . </Li> <Li> Kevin Sussman as Barry Lowenstein, assistant to Mayor Kate Hennings . </Li> <Li> Sean Bridgers as Eldon </Li> </Ul>

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