Here is a design that the client was thinking about. There are two glass covered boxes built into the table top to display wine corks. My suggestion to the client is build it with 4" thick boards on the edges and 1 1/2" boards in between. Ends could be made to look like they are also 4" thick. Would use a lap or rabbit joint to help give the boards stenght and more glue surface. I think this would also help on alignment.