Cross set up

Hi- New to the board, so hello to all. Hoping some folks would be willing to help me out. I just put a deposit down on a new custom alum cross frame, and it will be my first crossbike. I am trying to gather info on cross-specific components, so I thought I'd just go straight to the people...so, if you could put together some dream components for your new alum cross frame, what would you get? I am new to racing, and I want to set myself up right. Thanks in advance.