Elizca,
What do you need ballroom dresses for? Is it for a performance or competition of some kind, or just your own general dancing pleasure? If you just need a dress to look cute on the weekends, buying an actual ballroom gown might be rediculous, because, yes, they can get pretty expensive, and frankly, many of them look rediculous unless you see them from far away on stage where they belong. I found a cute, simple but not boring dress I could move in and have fun with just last week at Ross for a mere $25. Also, if you're handy with the sewing machine, I've often found hideous dresses at thrift stores for three and a half bucks, and altered them or just used the material to make something else. This is easier than starting from scratch, and much cheaper. You could get creative, no matter what kind of dress you're looking for. Here are just some ideas. Hope it helps some, or at least sparks some ideas.