Important decisions take way long to figure out. What's most important is that you and your partner are comfortable enough with each other to actually have a mature discussion about sex, which brings us back to the intimacy factor. My boyfriend and I had talked about having sex for awhile, and by the time we were actually ready, we were close and comfortable with each other. We could talk about anything. Talking about such an intimate thing can definitely bring a couple closer together, without actually having sex.
Sex is a big deal.
If you aren't ready to deal with it, that's fine. But, if you decide to take that step, it's definitely important to plan and discuss sex before having it, and totally stupid not to.