Who pays for suits?

I think the general rule is that if you want them to hire matching outfits then you pay the hire fee. It's fashionable now for the men to wear their own suits, so if you want to avoid hire costs just ask them all to wear suits they have.

Usually the couple pay for just about everything for the BM's and GM.

We paid for it all.

I would say the bride and groom pay for them.

I should say bride and groom pay for the dresses and suits.

We paid for my BMs dresses and will be paying for their hair and makeup.

The ushers are wearing their own suits but we will buy matching ties for them to wear.

I suppose if you are very particular about them looking a certain way (as I was with BMs dresses) then you need to pay for it.

100% Bride and Groom should pay for everything for bridesmaids & groomsmen. You've asked them to be a part of your day and you want them to look a certain way - therefore you pay for it.

If you can't afford to do that then you should either not have as many members of the bridal party, or go for a cheaper suit option.

Certainly you shouldn't get to this point (of choosing the suits) and then spring it on the bridal party that they have to pay for them.