Need some help with my hair!?

Ok, well I was thinking of getting blonde highlights in my DARK brown hair heard a few stories about putting bleach in dark hair that didn't turn out well, so I'm basically ruling that out. But I'm desperate for a change so I want to have like dip dye/ ombre like dark brown at top(natural hair colour) and gets lighter and lighter at the bottom to a light brown. I know I would have to go to the hairdressers and I'll have to save up, how much would it cost do you think? I live in hampshire if that helps! Do you think that sounds ok from dark brown to light( I have quite pale skin btw) would hair be bleached to get to a lighter colour? I don't mind if it does but I don't want to go blonde because my aunt did that and I turnout out orange/ yellow! thanks girls/guys! xxx