Waiting to book ceremony venue

Hi everyone! So I had to scrap my plans for my dream Cancun wedding because my family talked me out of it, so I’m scrambling for a new venue. I chose San Diego as my new destination wedding (I’m from Las Vegas) because it’s easier for many of my relatives to travel to. I found a hidden gem for a banquet hall to do a fancy beautiful reception for dirt cheap (for Cali standards anyway... $12k for 200 people, includes drapery and uplighting).

I’m still in the search for my perfect waterfront ceremony for Memorial Day next year. That limits me to bayfront hotels since the city of San Diego does not give permits for weddings in public parks on national holidays. I do have 2 hotels that have made offers and are willing to book right now, and I like them but don’t absolutely love them. I did discover one more hotel that has the perfect setting that’s everything I’m looking for, but for ceremonies only, they won’t book until 3-4 months out (to give priority to ceremony+reception bookings).

Is it worth taking the risk and holding out for the perfect place, or should I play it safe and stick to one of the ok ones that are ready to book now? Have any of you waited and got the venue or got burned for waiting?