How to Edit Your 2023 Recap Reel

We're giving you the ultimate guide to creating a 2023 recap video for Reels & TikTok! Featuring the trendiest CapCut and Reels templates and audios to ensure your social sign-off for 2023 is nothing short of iconic👇🏼

Before we dive into creating the perfect 2023 recap video, we need to cover the art of the year end photo dump. With so much content captured, this can be an *overwhelming* process to say the least, so feel free to follow this formula:

Picture 1- The New Years Picture. You're decked out in sparkles, glitz and glam, you look your best, and you're having a GOOD time, so show it off!

Picture 2- You. Post that cute summer picture of yourself that has been sitting in your favorites album for TOO long.

Picture 3- The Landscape. We love a pretty landscape, whether it's from your hometown or your summer in Europe. Show off the views that made your year!

Picture 4- Friendship Candid. Throw in a candid of you and your besties!

Picture 5- Film. Someone in your friend group has a film camera, don't keep the pics from your friend group weekend getaway to yourself.

Picture 6- Something Cheesy. A little quote, or something silly you took a photo of, your favourite meme. This is the time to share it.

Picture 7- Dinner/Cocktail Bar. Dining with friends in dimly lit restaurants was the thing to do in 2023. Don't let those expensive cocktails go to waste by not sharing the aesthetics on your feed.

Picture 8- One More Fit. You felt like a stylist this year? You borrowed your besties clothes? You felt great in your fit? Post it!

Picture 9- Quick Mirror Pic. Show off a favourite fit or reminisce on a silly mirror pic with the besties before going out.
Picture 10- Sports Game/Concert Aesthetic. Whether you attended the Eras Tour or a Chiefs Game, give us that classic bleacher picture of you & your concession hotdog.

Tag us @reelstips if you use this formula in your 2023 photodump!

Creating an end-of-year recap video for Reels or TikTok is not for the faint of heart - but we're here to guide you through the process to help you save time and create a video as epic as your year was!

THE PREP STEP:

Creating an end-of-year recap video for Reels or TikTok is not for the faint of heart - but we're here to guide you through the process to help you save time and create a video as epic as your year was!

For success, we must prepare! So let's start with the tips and the tricks when it comes to prepping your end of the year video.

Camera Roll Deep Dive: Start your end-of-the-year Reel preparation with a deep dive into your camera roll. Create a designated album labeled 2023 Recap to keep everything organized and add all potential video clips to this folder as you scroll through all your content!

Saving the Audios: Now, on to the audios. Before delving into the must-save audios, ensure you're doing it efficiently. In both TikTok and Instagram, create private albums to store the potential recap audios you want to use. This ensures easy access and a quick reference for your creative process.

Get Inspiration: Did one of your favorite creators just post their 2023 recap and it was *chefs kiss*? Seek inspo from your favorite creators' stellar 2023 recaps by saving them in your album. It's like curating your own Pinterest board, providing a reference point and sparking inspiration for your own masterpiece!

THE AUDIO STEP:

Unlock the essence of 2023 with a curated selection of must-have audios for your recap season. Simplifying your choices, these audios seamlessly pair with templates or serve as the backbone for your personalized recap using editing apps like InShot or CapCut. Here's our top picks:

'The 2023 Season Comes to an End' Audio: A TikTok and Instagram Reels sensation crafted by sportscaster @sammylev. Choose from remixes like:

The Clocks Version (Coldplay)

The Summertime Sadness Version (Lana Del Rey)

The As It Was Version (Harry Styles)

The Hype Version

'I Swear I Lived' Audio: Infuse positivity into your recap with this wholesome tune, sharing all the happy memories from 2023.

'Waiting for Love' Audio: Optimal for a grand photo dump, this upbeat mix sets the perfect tempo for reliving the highlights of your year. Stay tuned for the CapCut template to effortlessly bring it all together!

'Time With the Family is Priceless' Audio: The quintessential recap audio that beautifully showcases moments with your loved ones. Check out the accompanying CapCut template below for seamless editing!

For those who want to encapsulate the entire year in one minute, '2023 in 60 seconds' is your go-to audio.

'What Love Is.' Audio: This audio provides the perfect backdrop for a laid-back year-in-review, allowing you to share your journey in a chill and harmonious vibe.

THE TEMPLATE STEP

Using a template is going to save you SO MUCH TIME! We've combed through CapCut and in-app Instagram Reels Templates to find the must-have aesthetic templates that guarantee flawless transitions and impeccable clip timing for your Recap.

Note: for Instagram Reels Templates, you'll need to open these links on your phone and click the “use template” button, then you will be able to upload your clips directly into the template on Instagram!