Question about partying with friends

Hi

My friends and I are planning to party up to play EA this Friday.

I was wondering if it will be possible to party up before "waking up on the beach" or is that only feasible upon reaching the first town?

I've seen clips/teasers where several characters are escaping from hanging together and I wonder how that works since in poe1, to my knowledge, you can't party before waking up on The Coast.

Thanks in advance!