I am assuming you have all DLC. Here are the utilities you should use to ensure mod compatibility:Nexus Mod Manager: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/modmanager/?SKSE: http://skse.silverlock.org/LOOT: https://loot.github.io/With that out of the way, I'll post what I think is absolutely essential and would recommend for anyone on a first playthrough.SkyUI: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/3863/?Warburgs 3D Paper World Map: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/25501/?Immersive HUD: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/3222/?Less Intrusive HUD: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/35154/?Better Dialogue Controls: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/27371/?Better MessageBox Controls: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/28170/?#Unofficial Skyrim Patch: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/19/?Unofficial Dawnguard Patch: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/23491/?Unofficial Hearthfire Patch: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/25127/?Unofficial Dragonborn Patch: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/31083/?What I recommend for graphics:Skyrim HD: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/607/?Bellyaches HD Dragon Replacer Pack: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/29631/?Book Covers Skyrim: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/35399/?Skyrim Flora Overhaul: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/141/?Xenius Character Enhancement: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/2356/?Enhanced Lights and FX: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/27043/?Pure Weather: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/52423/?Pure Waters: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1111/?Enhanced Blood Textures: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/60/?Static Mesh Improvement Mod: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/8655/?Footprints: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/22745/?Quality Snow HD 4K: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/49011/?Better Dynamic Snow: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=13611&searchtext=I don't recommend any major gameplay changes if this is your first time. You can also find a lot more quality mods at Skyrim GEMS.After installing whichever you want, run LOOT and it will organize the load order to avoid any conflicts. There are probably some mods I have personally used that I am forgetting. You can ask me for my thoughts on certain mods because I have used a ton. Good luck!