If you are a rom-com addict, you’ve probably seen Sweet Home Alabama. Reese Witherspoon does a great job juggling her fictional career and her two men in this one. But where was Sweet Home Alabama filmed? The south represents many states but this film wasn’t filmed in Alabama as implied in the name. Before we talk about the story behind the movie, let’s check out the film location first.
Where Was Sweet Home Alabama Filmed?
The majority of the filming took place in various locations across the state of Georgia, including Savannah, Atlanta, McDonough, Conyers, Madison, Lawrenceville and Forsyth. In addition to these locations in Georgia, some scenes were also shot in South Carolina, including Columbia, Spartanburg, and the small town of Allendale.
The most iconic scenes in the movie were shot at various landmarks across Georgia. These included the Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta, Forsyth Park in Savannah, Stone Mountain outside of Atlanta, and Piedmont Park also located in Atlanta. The movie’s climactic scene was filmed in the small town of Allendale, South Carolina.
Full List of Sweet Home Alabama Filming Locations
- Barwick Studios – 4585 Electronics Place, Los Angeles, California
- Berry College – 2277 Martha Berry Highway, Rome, Georgia
- Captiva Island, Florida
- Castleberry Hill, Atlanta, Georgia
- Conyers, Georgia
- Covington, Georgia
- Crawfordville, Georgia
- Eufaula, Alabama
- Georgia International Horse Park – 1996 Centennial Olympic Highway, Conyers, Georgia
- New York City, New York
- Peachtree City, Georgia
- Rome, Georgia
- Starr’s Mill, Georgia
What was Sweet Home Alabama All About?
“Sweet Home Alabama” is a romantic comedy that tells the story of Melanie Carmichael, a fashion designer from New York City who moves back to her small hometown in rural Alabama. While there, she has to confront her past, make amends with her high school sweetheart, Jake Perry; and get him to sign divorce papers since she’s still technically married to him.
The movie follows Melanie’s journey as she learns to appreciate the beauty of her hometown and reconnect with her roots. It’s an uplifting story about finding love, healing old wounds, and learning to accept yourself for who you are.
Who Was In Sweet Home Alabama?
The cast included Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Carmichael, Josh Lucas as Jake Perry, Patrick Dempsey as Andrew Hennings, Candice Bergen as Pearl Smooter, Mary Kay Place as Lurlynn, Ethan Embry as Bobby Ray, and Jean Smart as Stella Kay.
Who Directed Sweet Home Alabama?
The movie was directed by Andy Tennant and written by C. Jay Cox and Douglas J. Eboch. Tennant had previously worked as a music video director for Madonna before directing his first feature-length film, Fools Rush In (1997). He went on to direct several other successful films including Hitch (2005), The Bounty Hunter (2010) and Anna Karenina (2012).
Did Sweet Home Alabama Receive Any Awards?
“Sweet Home Alabama” received positive critical reception and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song. Reese Witherspoon also earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the movie.
Fun Facts About The Filming of Sweet Home Alabama
- While shooting the movie, Reese Witherspoon and Patrick Dempsey were often spotted riding horses around town.
- The small town of Allendale doubled as a real-life Alabama town for the movie. The crew even hired locals to play extras in some scenes.
- A scene in which Melanie is attacked by bees had to be cut from the movie for safety reasons.
- This movie was the first movie to be shot in New York city after September 11, 2001.
- It was also the first time a scene was filmed in Tiffany’s since Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Technical Information
The movie was shot in 35 mm color using Panavision cameras and lenses. The color aspect ratio was 2.39:1. The film runs 108 minutes (1 hour, 48 minutes).
Sweet Home Alabama Box Office Details
- Sweet Home Alabama Film Budget: $30,000,000
- Opening weekend: $35,648,740
- Gross (US & Canada): $127,223,418
- Gross (World): $180,622,424
What Is Georgia Famous For?
Georgia is famous for its peaches. That’s why it’s called the Peach State. It even says so on the license plates. It produces sweet tea, peanuts, and pecans. It’s also Martin Luther King’s birthplace.
Unique Places To Visit in Georgia
Here are a few unusual places to check out if you find yourself in the Peach State:
Expedition: Bigfoot: “genuine” Bigfoot artifacts and information on sightings
Elvis’ Wart: located at the Loudermilk Boarding house & Everything Elvis Museum located in Cornelia, GA.
Goats on the Roof is a quaint little store that sells Amish furniture, sweets, and souvenirs. You’ll also see goats roaming around.
Old Car City, located in White, GA, isn’t a classic car club. It’s a giant junkyard spanning 34 acres filled with over 4,000 old cars from 1972 and older. But don’t expect to simply wander around. There’s an admission fee.
Things to Do in Georgia
For anyone that’s looking for more “normal” things to do, here are a few suggestions:
- Riverboat Cruise & City Tour in Savannah
- Old Town Hop-on/hop off Trolley Tour
- Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta
- Ghosts and Gravestone Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Sweet Home Alabama beach scene filmed?
The opening scenes with the lightning strike on the beach was filmed in Captiva Island, Florida, near Fort Myers.
Where is the mansion in Sweet Home Alabama?
The mansion sits on Ono Island on Orange Beach, Alabama.
Final Thoughts
The southern states in the U.S. are filled with history. Because of the mild climate, you can visit these states most any time of the year. But Georgia gets particularly hot in the summertime. To avoid the excessive heat and humidity, the best time to visit is May, June, or September. If you are looking to save a bit of money, it’s more affordable to visit from November to February. The trade off may be the weather.
More Romantic Style Movies Locations
Have you ever been to Georgia and seen the Sweet Home Alabama filming locations? What did you like best? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
- Where Was Dirty Dancing Filmed
- Where Was Her Filmed
- Where Was Mamma Mia! Filmed
- Where Was The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed
- The Notebook (also filmed in South Carolina)
- The Truman Show (also filmed in Florida)
