Prom is a night that people spend years looking forward to, as well as years remembering fondly. Girls especially want the evening to be perfection itself. They plan for prom night months in advance of the big occasion.

One of the most important elements of prom planning is finding the right dress, the perfect dress, the dress that will transform them from high schoolers into royalty. Finding the right dress is like discovering a hidden treasure.

Designer Name Prom Dress: The Sky is Truly the Limit

The Holy Grail of prom dresses is the designer name prom dress. Imagine walking into prom with a gown designed by the same companies that dress celebrities. And while the names Vera Wang, Tiffany, Jovani, Serendipity, and Alisha Hill might draw a blank look from parents, there are few girls who don't recognize these designers as the cream of the prom gown crop.

These dresses, however, do not come cheap. In order to buy the perfect dress to wear for only one night, a girl might expect to shell out $500…or much more. Some girls and their parents find this well worth the price. Others find the price tag to steep to justify the purchase of a dress that will probably be worn only once--even if that once is to prom.

When You Can’t Justify Buying a Designer Name Prom Dress

Not everyone can afford a designer name prom dress, and some people who can afford them don't find them to be worth the exorbitant prices. While a designer name prom dress can make a girl feel like a princess when she sweeps into prom, they are not the only option.

A girl who has her heart set on a designer name prom dress but doesn't have the money to buy a new one might consider checking online auction sites. She may be able to buy a gently used designer name prom dress for a fraction of the cost of a real one.

Girls who want to stand out might consider a funky retro look or a Cinderella prom grown.

Finally, many retailers make lovely prom dresses that look very similar to the designer name prom dress but cost far less.

Going with the lower priced items doesn’t mean a girl will automatically meet her doom at prom. The dress is only one part of the experience, and to put it in perspective, it's a pretty small one at that. Memories of the prom are far more likely to include romance and excitement than they are to include the exact brand of dress one wore.