How crucial is making-out and non-genital touching to the buildup of a scene?

With the mention of a "scene," is this only meant to apply to dominant/submissive or other BDSM play?

My husband and I aren't into any of that. We choose to limit our orgasms because, paradoxicallly, it makes for a much more satisfying sex life, strengthens our relationship, and helps to ward off moodiness and emotional instabilty.

I voted "absolutely crucial" because making out, cuddling, other forms of simple intimate touch are so very important to me in the first place, and not having had an orgasm recently makes these experiences even more blissful. My husband's developed quite a fondness for them as well. Sometimes we'll lay together for hours doing nothing else.

When making love, this is always how we begin, and what we come back to as sort of a soft-landing after any more intense parts, when we're up for those. I don't like abrupt endings, or being left in a state of high arousal without some sort of "aftercare".