Another option would be to go for a Mexican-inspired combo: saturated shades of sky blue and bright red, with paper flowers and papel picado, luminarias and strings of Christmas lights. It wouldn’t do for a very formal affair, but it could be very festive and fun. Just be careful not to thread the fine line between “inspired” and “themed”.

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/glow-and-behold?lnc=a489cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=lpg_holiday&currentslide=0&currentChapter=1&chapterCounter=1&lpgStart=1&adnumber=1#lpg

of course in your colors not the ones shown.

I was also thinking that light shimmery fabric would also not convey a heavy out of balance feeling like a velvet would.

http://www.whatsbuzzin.com/popup_details/christmas_cards/wonderland_popup.html

And while this probably won’t solve your design issues I would make it more fun and playful it’s winter and yet it’s tropical and have fun with it rather than fight your space. If you fight the space too much it will feel off. The one cue from the postcard I like is the use of ornaments and I don’t mean christmas per say. Jewel toned glass and sparkle and lots of candles and fairy lights can convey winter wonderland and not feel heavy or out of place in your setting.

Good Luck!

So here is the thing… your venue needs to reflect the design and vise versa. You can’t throw a ton of snow on a palm tree and call it Alaska, ya know? I think that if you are set (and bound by contracts and deposits) to the venue then it is time to embrace the space in all its glory…

Living in Florida, I often am asked to design weddings in the winter which still have to battle the 80-something degree temps and sago palm-lined landscaping…. When this happens, I like to keep the palette white… very very white… with lots of textures and a touch of green here and there… it keeps that pure, winter feel without clashing with the surroundings. If you absolutely love the jewel tones, then go with them- but nix the light blue. I think that your money is better spent on warming it up with darker tones in exotic orchids and flowers…. with touches of gold for that wintery-feel. Winter is different depending on climates. When I lived in the Northeast, it was all about snow shoes, the chill off the coast, and snow miles high. When I lived in the mid-west I remember hot chocolate, warm pies, and fires aglow. Here in Florida, it’s the smell of burning wood, dreary grey skies, and eggnog-cocktails. Perhaps you should ask yourself what winter at your venue would look like… what winter on an exotic island would be… and then translate this accordingly.

Don’t know if it’ll work, but hopefully its a good start? Good luck!