What foundational mods ensure stability, graphics, and load order in Skyrim?

[Addison.D]

I'm returning to Skyrim after several years and want to overhaul the visuals and gameplay without breaking my save or causing constant crashes. I'm using a mod manager, but I'm overwhelmed by the number of texture, weather, and combat overhauls available and unsure about load order for a stable game. For those with a heavily modded but reliable setup, what are your essential foundational mods for graphics and stability, and what is a good rule of thumb for organizing mods that affect similar systems like lighting and textures?