Well, if you want a simple and well-fitting costume on a budget, you could just wear leotard and wrap skirt for a program where simplicity is appropriate.
Or buy a ready-made stretch-fabric practice dress or not-too-complicated competition-style dress from a number of retailers and add your own stones if you like.
Of course if you're buying online you can't try them on in advance so that might not work if you have an unusual/hard-to-fit body shape that might need custom design or alterations. For typical teenage and preteen sizes, you can usually find a variety in rink pro shops and at vendors' tables at competitions, sometimes in dancewear stores.
It's when you want complex designs with delicate fabrics, especially mixing different kinds, that you need custom made by an expert.
Or if you want a one-of-a-kind dress that's unique to your program and your vision, then you need to either make it yourself or pay to have one made.
If saving money is top priority and don't have even the basic expertise to make a well-constructed dress, and looking neat a close second, then off-the-rack might be the way to go.
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